WASHINGTON, June 5 (WSH) — The White House announced Wednesday that it is establishing new leadership for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a Trump-era advisory unit originally spearheaded by Elon Musk to streamline federal spending and operations.
Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), confirmed that efforts are underway to fill the department’s top positions following the departure of Musk and his key deputy, Steve Davis. The department currently reports to cabinet-level officials and has been described as leaderless in recent weeks.
Musk’s Exit Sparks Public Rift with Trump
Elon Musk, whose 130-day role as a “special government employee” ended in late May, has openly criticized the Trump administration’s recent “Big and Beautiful” tax-and-spending legislation, calling it “grotesque” and “politically bloated.” The bill, passed narrowly by the GOP-controlled House, is expected to raise the federal deficit to $2.5 trillion.
According to British outlet The Telegraph, Musk requested to remain in his role to continue advocating spending cuts but was denied. White House sources suggested his removal was final, sparking a public fallout between the billionaire entrepreneur and the administration.
Musk accused the administration of using the Department of Government Efficiency as a “scapegoat” for unpopular layoffs and economic measures, and publicly stated, “I don’t want to be blamed for decisions I didn’t make.”
White House and Analysts Respond
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged Musk’s disagreement but affirmed President Trump’s support for the bill. Analysts at Axios noted four possible reasons for Musk’s discontent, including the rollback of EV tax credits, blocked use of SpaceX’s Starlink for air traffic control, and the withdrawal of a NASA nomination for one of Musk’s allies.
The DOGE, which had publicly claimed to save the government nearly $160 billion by April 2025, has fallen short of Musk’s stated $1 trillion savings goal. As the department awaits its new leadership, the White House aims to maintain its cost-reduction agenda amid growing scrutiny and political drama.
