Elon Musk is reportedly expected to take up office space in the White House Complex to launch the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which is located to the White House, will be the location of the room, according to two persons who were given briefings on the plans, according to The New York Times.
The DOGE task, which is led by entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and aims to lower government costs, is a secret expert initiative run by businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. Now operating from SpaceX‘s Washington, DC, company, the group plans to move closer to the White House to help clear cooperation with government officials.
Musk, who donated hundreds of millions to support Trump win the 2024 election, has been a popular figure in Trump’s transition group, attending formal meetings and providing output on coverage and staff appointments. His close ties to Trump have raised questions about potential conflicts of interest, especially given that Musk’s businesses are currently awarded federal deals.
According to two persons briefed on the subject, Musk has also discussed with change leaders his level of exposure to the West Wing, but that was left untethered, according to The New York Times. For staff members and others who can easily travel in the West Wing, a special pass is normally required.
However, ethics rules and legal systems may complicate Musk’s involvement. Musk may have restrictions on his ability to engage in matters relating to his companies if he were to assume the position of a particular government employee. Financial disclosure obligations and federal transparency laws, such as the Freedom of Information Act ( FOIA ), may also apply to DOGE’s operations.
Additional questions are raised by the privacy surrounding DOGE’s resources and construction.
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.
To apply what Trump calls an “entrepreneurial approach to government,” which he deems extraordinary, DOGE may work carefully with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget. He likened the program to a modern-day” Manhattan Project” in terms of its passion and opportunity.
Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk and Indian-American businessman Vivek Ramaswamy were given the task of leading DOGE by Trump. 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 date for DOGE’s goal to be completed by July 4, 2026—America’s 250th Independence Day—proclaiming that a more effective, less administrative state would be a fitting product for the country on its breakthrough anniversary.
Musk has promised that DOGE may work with full clarity. He had stated on X ( previously Twitter ) that “every action of the Department of Government Efficiency will be posted online for maximum transparency,” inviting the public to offer suggestions and feedback. Musk even teased the development of a “leaderboard” to identify the most egregious cases of federal spending, calling it “both really horrible and exceedingly 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.
