Elon Musk is reportedly expected to take up office space in the White House Complex to launch the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
According to two people briefed on the plans, the space will be in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which is adjacent to the White House, reported The New York Times.
The DOGE project aimed at reducing government expenses and co-led by businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, is not an official government department but serves as a private advisory initiative. Currently operating from SpaceX’s Washington, DC, office, the team plans to move closer to the White House to facilitate direct collaboration with government officials.
Musk, who donated hundreds of millions to help Trump win the 2024 election, has been a prominent figure in Trump’s transition team, attending official meetings and providing input on policy and staff appointments. His close relationship with Trump has led to concerns about conflicts of interest, especially since Musk’s companies hold federal contracts.
Musk also has discussed with transition officials his level of access to the West Wing, but that was left unclear, according to two people briefed on the matter, stated The New York Times. Staff members and others who can freely come and go in the West Wing typically require a special pass.
Meanwhile, ethics rules and legal frameworks could complicate Musk’s involvement. If he assumes the status of a special government employee, Musk would face restrictions on participating in matters linked to his companies. Financial disclosure obligations and federal transparency laws, such as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), may also apply to DOGE’s operations.
The secrecy surrounding DOGE’s structure and budget also raises additional questions.
What is DOGE?
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new initiative under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, is supposed to dismantle government bureaucracy, cut excess regulations, eliminate wasteful spending, and restructure federal agencies.
DOGE will work closely with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to implement what Trump describes as an “entrepreneurial approach to Government,” which he deems unprecedented. He likened the initiative to a modern-day “Manhattan Project” in terms of its ambition and scope.
Trump had tasked Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy with leading DOGE. He emphasised that the department’s primary goal is to target what he called “massive waste and fraud” within the federal government’s $6.5 trillion budget.
Trump has set a deadline for DOGE’s mission to be completed by July 4, 2026—America’s 250th Independence Day—proclaiming that a more efficient, less bureaucratic government would be a fitting gift for the nation on its milestone anniversary.
Musk has promised that DOGE would operate with full transparency. “All actions of the Department of Government Efficiency will be posted online for maximum transparency,” he had said on X (formerly Twitter), inviting the public to share tips and provide input. Musk also teased the creation of a “leaderboard” to highlight the most egregious examples of government spending, calling it “both extremely tragic and extremely entertaining.”
At a Trump rally in October, Musk asserted that the federal budget could be reduced by “at least $2 trillion,” with discretionary spending—including defence—accounting for a significant portion of the $6.75 trillion federal budget for fiscal 2024.
