David Edwards
The Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.), led by Elon Musk, is scrutinizing federal employees whose net worth significantly exceeds their salaries. Established by former President Donald Trump, the agency is investigating cases where bureaucrats earning a few hundred thousand dollars have somehow amassed fortunes in the tens of millions.
Elon Musk Questions Unexplained Wealth in Government
Speaking from the Oval Office, Musk expressed skepticism about the financial discrepancies among government employees.
“We find it rather odd that quite a few bureaucrats, despite earning a few hundred thousand dollars, have managed to accrue tens of millions in net worth,” Musk stated. “We’re just curious about where it came from.”
Federal Agencies Mandated to Cooperate with D.O.G.E.
In a bid to streamline government operations, Trump has mandated full cooperation with D.O.G.E., as outlined in a newly released White House fact sheet. The initiative seeks to reduce the federal workforce by enforcing a policy that permits hiring only one new employee for every four who depart—excluding positions in law enforcement, national security, immigration, and public safety.
In an unusual Oval Office appearance, Musk stood alongside Trump to defend D.O.G.E.’s aggressive investigative strategy. Young investigators have been deployed across federal agencies to scrutinize payroll data, track employee assets, and, if necessary, shut down entire offices.
Trump claimed D.O.G.E. had already uncovered “billions and billions of dollars in waste, fraud, and abuse.” While no direct evidence was presented, Musk argued that Treasury Department systems lacked fundamental safeguards against improper payments.
“It’s like a massive number of blank checks just flying out of the building,” Musk told reporters.
The billionaire has been using X (formerly Twitter) to expose alleged fraud, acknowledging that some claims may be incorrect but insisting they should be fact-checked.
“Trust me, I want to be wrong. I want it proven that the scale of corruption I’ve discovered is exaggerated,” Musk said.
Uncertainty for Federal Employees
Trump has vowed to push D.O.G.E.’s findings through Congress if necessary. He criticized federal judges for blocking certain government overhaul efforts but pledged to “abide by the courts.”
Meanwhile, a Rhode Island federal judge ruled that the White House had yet to fully comply with an order to release billions in federal grant money.
For federal employees resisting D.O.G.E.’s buyout plan, the future remains uncertain. Government reduction-in-force regulations allow laid-off workers to receive up to a year’s salary in severance, depending on tenure and age. Some employees may be reassigned, while others could face immediate termination, Musk confirmed.
Business Leaders React to Musk’s Strategy
Newly appointed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has voiced strong support for Musk, aligning Treasury policies with D.O.G.E.’s objectives. Citadel founder Ken Griffin also praised Musk’s efforts to curb government waste while criticizing Trump’s trade policies.
“He will do what it takes to win,” Griffin said of Musk at the UBS Financial Services Conference in Miami. “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for making sure my tax dollars are spent effectively.”
Musk’s aggressive tactics are not unprecedented. He has a long track record of abrupt cost-cutting measures, including mass layoffs at Tesla, X, and other ventures. In 2018, Tesla cut 9% of its workforce, followed by a 22% reduction in 2023, with termination emails sent at 2 a.m. His 2022 takeover of Twitter saw approximately 6,000 employees—80% of the staff—dismissed.
With Musk at the helm of D.O.G.E., the federal workforce may be facing its most radical shake-up in decades.
