Additional Coverage:
Local watchdog groups are raising questions about the newly launched Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an agency spearheaded by tech billionaire Elon Musk. President Trump’s executive order established DOGE within the Executive Office of the President, focusing on modernizing federal technology. However, this narrow focus contrasts with previous statements by Trump and Musk about broader government restructuring.
Ethics experts are concerned this narrow scope might be a way to circumvent the Federal Advisory Committee Act, a law requiring transparency and public disclosure for advisory committees. They argue DOGE’s actual agenda appears much broader than the executive order suggests, potentially triggering disclosure requirements.
Concerns about transparency arose when Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy were initially appointed to lead DOGE from outside the government. Unlike most high-ranking officials, their financial disclosures aren’t mandated, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest. While Musk has publicly promised transparency, watchdog groups remain skeptical.
Ramaswamy has since left DOGE, but Musk maintains a strong presence at the White House, reportedly with an all-access badge and office space. The executive order indicates the US DOGE Service administrator, reporting to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, will head DOGE, but Musk’s exact role remains unclear. It’s also unclear what disclosure requirements, if any, apply to DOGE staff.
Several watchdog groups, including Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), have filed lawsuits demanding transparency and arguing DOGE should fall under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. They seek to halt DOGE’s operations until compliance is achieved. Musk has publicly responded to the lawsuits, seemingly dismissing their concerns.