Trump issues order to create Department of Government Efficiency, appoints Elon Musk as head

US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order creating the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aimed at modernizing federal operations and improving productivity. The United States Digital Service (USDS) has been renamed the United States DOGE Service and will now function under the Executive Office of the President.

The executive order directs the DOGE Service to prioritize the modernization of federal software, IT systems, and network infrastructure. The initiative emphasizes interoperability across government systems, safeguarding data integrity, and enhancing efficiency in data collection and synchronization. The modernization effort is designed to improve the technological capabilities of federal agencies while aligning them with contemporary standards.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been appointed to lead this initiative. His team will work from an office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, with 20 staff members to be hired for the project. Musk will also oversee DOGE teams within federal agencies, each comprising a lead, an engineer, a human resources specialist, and an attorney. Agency heads have been tasked with establishing these teams and ensuring they coordinate closely with the DOGE Service.

The executive order specifies that the DOGE initiative is a temporary organization and will terminate on July 4, 2026. This timeline includes the creation of recommendations and full implementation of the modernization program. The USDS Administrator, reporting to the White House Chief of Staff, will oversee the DOGE Service and ensure the program's objectives are met within the stipulated timeline.

To facilitate its operations, the DOGE Service has been granted access to unclassified records and IT systems across federal agencies. Agency leaders have been instructed to ensure full compliance with these provisions and provide necessary resources to support the DOGE Service. The order mandates strict adherence to data protection and security measures throughout the modernization process.

Initially, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy was selected to co-lead the program alongside Musk. However, the White House has confirmed that Ramaswamy will not join the initiative, as he is focusing on his gubernatorial campaign in Ohio. Musk will lead the program with assistance from appointed teams across federal agencies.