Elon Musk’s unprecedented foray into the heart of American government has begun with a whirlwind of activity, mirroring his disruptive approach to business. Fresh off his acquisition of Twitter, where he drastically reduced the workforce, Musk has arrived in Washington D.C. with a laser focus on reshaping the federal bureaucracy. Empowered by President Trump and heading the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, Musk aims to achieve substantial cost savings through technology, deregulation, and, most significantly, workforce reduction. His ambition initially targeted $2 trillion in savings, later revised to around $1 trillion, underscores the scale of his intended transformation. Musk’s presence in the capital is constant, his private plane remaining stationed since Trump’s inauguration, signaling his commitment to a sustained effort.
Musk’s strategy echoes his Twitter takeover, marked by swift and decisive action. He has installed a team of loyalists, many drawn from his network at SpaceX, Tesla, and the Boring Company, into key positions within agencies like the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the General Services Administration (GSA). These individuals, familiar with Musk’s demanding style and committed to his vision, are tasked with implementing rapid change. Tactics include offering voluntary resignation packages to federal employees, a move reminiscent of the “fork in the road” ultimatum presented to Twitter staff. Musk’s emphasis on efficiency and cost-cutting is further evident in his focus on identifying and potentially removing employees still in their probationary period, a more straightforward process legally.
The OPM, an agency traditionally associated with mundane bureaucratic tasks, has become a central hub for Musk’s operations. His interest in obtaining a list of federal chief information officers suggests a technology-driven approach to streamlining government operations. The anticipated appointment of Scott Kupor, a venture capitalist and Musk supporter, to lead the OPM, further solidifies Musk’s influence within the agency. However, Musk isn’t waiting for official appointments; he’s already embedded his aides within the OPM, effectively preempting Kupor’s arrival. These aides, including Brian Bjelde and Riccardo Biasini, both veterans of Musk’s Twitter overhaul, are instrumental in driving his agenda within the agency.
Musk’s reliance on a tight-knit circle of trusted confidants extends beyond his corporate ventures and into his governmental endeavors. Figures like investor Antonio Gracias and retired Air Force General Terrence O’Shaughnessy, both long-time Musk associates, play advisory roles. Interestingly, Baris Akis, a relatively new acquaintance, has rapidly ascended to a position of influence, working closely with Steve Davis, another Musk lieutenant overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency. This suggests Musk values efficiency and loyalty above long-standing relationships when assembling his team. The placement of these individuals within key agencies, including the GSA, further underscores Musk’s strategic approach to restructuring the federal bureaucracy.
Musk’s influence is not limited to personnel appointments and internal communications. He is actively seeking ways to leverage technology to achieve his cost-saving objectives. A priority is establishing a direct communication channel to all 2.3 million federal civilian employees, a task more complex than within a single company like Tesla. This illustrates Musk’s intent to bypass traditional bureaucratic channels and communicate directly with the workforce. The Department of Government Efficiency has already reported initial savings of over $500 million, attributed to cuts in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and renegotiation of unused office leases. These early successes, while contested by some, are presented as evidence of the department’s efficacy.
Beyond budget cuts and workforce reductions, Musk’s influence reportedly extends into other areas of the administration. His team’s takeover of the United States Digital Service, now rebranded as the “U.S. DOGE Service,” hints at a significant restructuring of the unit. Further, allegations of Musk’s involvement in the presidential pardon of individuals charged in the January 6th Capitol attack, while unverified, suggest his influence reaches beyond the purely bureaucratic. His presence in Washington, oscillating between mingling with the establishment elite and engaging in bureaucratic maneuvers, exemplifies his unique and multifaceted role. His interactions with White House staff, characterized by shared memes and intelligence exchange, indicate an integration into the inner circle despite the vast disparity in wealth. This unusual dynamic underscores the unprecedented nature of Musk’s involvement in American government.
