 "Elon Musk speaks at an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event in Washington. File image/ AP")
So far, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a sweeping federal cost-cutting initiative under the Donald Trump administration, has closely been associated with capricious billionaire Elon Musk.
However, the White House on Tuesday (February 25) revealed that Amy Gleason, a healthcare technology executive, is serving as the acting administrator of DOGE.
The disclosure comes after repeated questions from reporters about who is running the executive branch initiative. Bloomberg cited a White House official speaking anonymously as confirming Gleason’s role.
Although Musk has been the public face of DOGE– appearing alongside President Donald Trump in the Oval Office and posting on X about the initiative’s plans– he does not hold the legal title of DOGE head.
This may be in part because Musk’s involvement has drawn scrutiny due to DOGE’s aggressive actions, including large-scale job cuts, cancellation of government contracts, and efforts to shut down entire federal agencies.
Questions surrounding Musk’s official connection to DOGE have been at the centre of ongoing legal disputes. During a court hearing Monday (February 24), US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly pressed government attorneys about Musk’s role.
The Justice Department lawyer said Musk is a senior adviser to Trump but could not confirm whether DOGE has an official administrator or is formally recognised as a government agency.
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View AllIn a recent court filing, the White House described Musk as a senior adviser to Trump, not a DOGE employee. As an adviser, Musk’s communications are likely protected by executive privilege and not subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
Despite Gleason’s official position, Musk continues to direct public attention toward DOGE, including issuing threats on social media to fire federal workers who do not comply with his directives.
On LinkedIn, Gleason identifies herself as a senior adviser to the U.S. DOGE Service, formerly known as the US Digital Service, which was founded under President Barack Obama and renamed by Trump. Gleason previously served in that agency during Trump’s first term and continued into President Joe Biden’s administration, Bloomberg reported.
The DOGE administrator reports to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles under an executive order Trump signed on January 20. Gleason’s résumé shows she most recently worked at Russell Street Ventures, a Nashville-based healthcare investment firm.