Additional Coverage:
- Some members of Elon Musk’s DOGE squad aren’t sharing their last names as they attempt to remake the federal workforce (newsbreak.com)
Elon Musk’s federal efficiency team, known as DOGE, is facing scrutiny for withholding the identities of some of its members. Federal employees report that DOGE representatives have refused to provide their last names during meetings at multiple agencies.
These meetings, focused on agency operations and potential improvements, are part of DOGE’s effort to reshape the federal workforce. This practice contradicts DOGE’s public statements emphasizing transparency.
One federal worker expressed discomfort over the name concealment to Thomas Shedd, a Tesla engineer now leading technology at the General Services Administration (GSA). Shedd admitted the situation was “weird and uncomfortable” but defended it as a necessary measure to shield DOGE members from media attention. He said he was trying to protect team members who were helping him understand GSA procedures.
Media reports have identified several young people working with DOGE, some of whom reportedly hold federal email accounts. One individual allegedly sent a message to all USAID employees instructing them to stay home on a Monday, suggesting significant influence within the agency.
This secrecy is unusual for federal employees, whose identities and salaries are typically public information. One federal employee emphasized that hiding names is unnecessary, given the public nature of this information.
Government watchdog groups have criticized DOGE’s lack of transparency. They argue that public service demands accountability, and concealing identities undermines public trust. They call on DOGE to be more open about its work.
While some federal roles, like undercover law enforcement or intelligence, justify the use of pseudonyms, the need for such secrecy within DOGE is unclear. This practice clashes with Musk’s own public advocacy for government transparency. He has previously stated that all government data should be public by default, except in cases of national security risks.
DOGE’s operations have been largely shrouded in secrecy since its establishment. Information about the group’s activities has primarily come from media leaks, rather than official channels. Even basic information about DOGE’s structure remains unconfirmed.