Elon Musk, the face of the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is apparently not its official leader—at least, not on paper. Yet, according to former President Donald Trump, Musk is still calling the shots. Confused? So is everyone else.
Trump, speaking at a conference last week, made it clear that Musk is running the show at DOGE, stating, “I signed an order creating the Department of Government Efficiency and put a man named Elon Musk in charge.” Musk himself has fueled this perception, frequently issuing directives on X (formerly Twitter) and receiving praise from Republican lawmakers. But a surprising development has cast doubt on Musk’s official authority: the sudden appointment of Amy Gleason as acting administrator of DOGE—a position that technically makes her the agency’s head.
The White House remained vague on when Gleason was appointed, with reports indicating the decision was so abrupt that she was scheduled to be on vacation in Mexico when the announcement was made. To add to the chaos, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated in a briefing that Musk was still “overseeing” DOGE, despite not holding the administrator title.
A Legal Shell Game?
The murkiness surrounding Musk’s role at DOGE came under legal scrutiny after Justice Department lawyers told federal judges that, as far as they knew, DOGE had no administrator. This revelation raised eyebrows among legal experts, with some suggesting it’s a deliberate tactic to shield Musk and DOGE from lawsuits challenging the agency’s legitimacy.
Walter Olson, a constitutional law expert, compared the strategy to a “shell game,” warning that federal judges won’t be easily fooled. “If the court process can freeze the position taken, the game can stop working after a couple of rounds,” he said.
Adding to the intrigue, a sworn declaration by a Trump appointee stated that Musk is merely a “Senior Advisor to the President” with no formal authority over DOGE. However, Judge Tanya Chutkan, in a recent ruling, pointed out that regardless of titles, Musk is directing DOGE’s operations and making sweeping changes to the executive branch.
Who’s Really Running DOGE?
The confusion reached new heights when a second Justice Department lawyer, Bradley Humphreys, admitted in court that he had no idea who actually runs DOGE. When pressed by a judge, he repeatedly stated, “I don’t know.” The discrepancy between public perception and the administration’s official stance has fueled speculation that Musk’s role is intentionally being kept ambiguous to sidestep legal challenges.
A Shadow Government?
The secrecy surrounding DOGE’s leadership is unprecedented. No official list of top personnel has been released, forcing news organizations to compile their own records. Even the agency’s budget—reportedly around $40 million—was only revealed through investigative reporting by ProPublica.
Legal scholars argue that DOGE’s power structure violates constitutional norms. Harvard Law Professor Laurence Tribe accused the administration of “throwing sand in people’s faces” to obscure Musk’s authority. He went so far as to suggest that government lawyers defending DOGE’s legitimacy should resign in protest.
The Democratic state attorneys general suing the administration are demanding transparency, filing a motion for the White House to disclose internal documents related to DOGE’s formation and leadership.
A Rogue Agency?
Unlike any previous federal office, DOGE was initially framed as an advisory body. However, once Trump was re-elected, it was transformed into an official government agency with real power—without Senate approval. Legal experts warn that such an agency cannot exist without congressional authorization.
Meanwhile, Musk has continued to exert influence, reportedly requesting federal agencies to submit weekly progress reports. However, some agency heads, including FBI Director Kash Patel, have reportedly pushed back, directing their teams to hold off on complying.
With lawsuits piling up and legal scrutiny mounting, the question remains: Is Musk really in charge of DOGE, or is he merely playing the role of a de facto leader while the administration scrambles to keep up the illusion? One thing is clear—the chaos surrounding DOGE is far from over.
