White House Official Clarifies Elon Musk’s Role in DOGE Office
In a recent court filing, Amy Gleason, acting administrator of the White House Office of Downsizing and Optimizing Government Efficiency (DOGE), has clarified that she does not work with Elon Musk, contrary to previous claims made by President Donald Trump.
Gleason’s statement, submitted as part of an ongoing lawsuit, asserts that Musk does not work for the US DOGE Service and that there is no reporting relationship between them. This clarification comes amid confusion surrounding the leadership structure of the DOGE office, which has been responsible for initiatives including agency dismantling and budget cuts, many of which have been reversed by court orders.
The court filing sheds light on the official structure of the DOGE office, although the decision-making process and authority within the organization remain ambiguous. Gleason states that Musk’s role is that of a Senior Advisor to the White House, not directly involved in DOGE operations.
According to the filing, Gleason reports to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and oversees USDS employees and detailees. Former colleagues describe Gleason as hardworking and apolitical.
The lawsuit, brought by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), aims to increase transparency within the DOGE office. A judge has ruled that the office must release some records under Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, a decision the DOGE office is seeking to have reconsidered, arguing it is not subject to FOIA.
Representatives for the White House, DOGE office, and CREW declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.
This development highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the structure and transparency of the DOGE office, as well as the roles of key figures within the White House administration.