President Donald Trump takes command of the Department of Government Efficiency after Elon Musk’s departure, bringing a new approach to slashing federal waste while building on his predecessor’s foundation.
At a Glance
- Elon Musk is departing his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after reaching the 130-day limit for special government employees
- President Trump will personally lead DOGE, making each Cabinet member responsible for efficiency in their respective departments
- Musk expressed gratitude to Trump and confidence that “the DOGE mission will only strengthen over time”
- Trump’s approach focuses on delegating responsibility to Cabinet members to tackle waste, fraud, and abuse
- Musk will maintain a small White House office and continue limited government work while refocusing on his businesses
Trump Takes Over DOGE Leadership
President Donald Trump is assuming direct control of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) following Elon Musk’s departure from the role. The transition comes as Musk reaches the 130-day limit for special government employees, requiring him to step down from his official position. The White House has confirmed that Musk is currently going through the formal offboarding process, marking the end of his direct leadership of the efficiency initiative that has been focused on reducing the size and waste of the federal government.
Trump’s leadership strategy for DOGE differs significantly from Musk’s approach. Rather than centralizing control, the President plans to delegate efficiency responsibilities across his Cabinet. This structure effectively makes each Cabinet member the head of efficiency efforts within their respective departments, creating a distributed accountability system for identifying and eliminating wasteful spending, fraudulent activities, and procedural inefficiencies throughout the federal government.
JUST PUBLISHED: Analysis Finds Only 27% of DOGE 'Cuts' Can Be Reviewed, Verified. PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: New analysis suggests only a concerningly small number of Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts can actually be reviewed and verified.👥 Who’s Involved:…
— The National Pulse (@TheNatPulse) May 28, 2025
Musk’s Legacy and Future Involvement
Despite stepping down from his official position, Musk expressed gratitude for his time working on government efficiency. In his departure statement, Musk thanked President Trump for the opportunity to address wasteful government spending and expressed optimism about the future of the department he helped establish. Musk’s brief but impactful tenure laid the groundwork for what the administration hopes will become a sustained effort to streamline government operations and reduce bureaucratic bloat.
Musk isn’t cutting ties completely with the administration. He plans to maintain a small office at the White House and will continue to dedicate limited time to government work until the end of Trump’s term. However, his primary focus will shift back to his business ventures, including Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, which have faced challenges during his time in government service. Tesla investors have recently urged the company’s board to require Musk to commit at least 40 hours per week to the electric vehicle manufacturer.
Cabinet-Led Efficiency Initiative
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the efficiency mission will continue under the leadership of the President and his Cabinet. The administration’s approach positions each department head as directly responsible for identifying and eliminating waste within their jurisdictions. This distributed model aims to ensure that efficiency measures are tailored to the specific needs and challenges of each government agency rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions.
“The DOGE leaders are each and every member of the president’s cabinet and the president himself, who is wholeheartedly committed to cutting waste, fraud and abuse from our government.”, said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
This transition occurs against a backdrop of some tension between Musk and the administration over spending priorities. Musk publicly criticized a recent Trump-backed spending bill, arguing it undermined DOGE’s efficiency efforts. Despite these disagreements, Musk has generally supported Trump’s legislative agenda, particularly on energy policy. The administration appears committed to continuing efficiency reforms while adapting the approach to align with Trump’s management style and priorities.
Challenges and Legal Concerns
Musk’s departure comes amid emerging legal challenges related to his DOGE leadership. Allegations have surfaced regarding potential violations of federal law during his tenure, though specific details remain limited. These legal questions add another dimension to the transition of DOGE leadership and may influence how the department operates moving forward. The administration has not publicly addressed these allegations as the situation continues to develop.
As Trump assumes direct control of DOGE, the department faces the challenge of maintaining momentum while adapting to new leadership. The President’s approach of delegating efficiency responsibilities to Cabinet members creates a more distributed accountability structure that will need to be coordinated effectively to achieve meaningful results. The success of this transition will likely depend on how well the administration can integrate efficiency measures into the day-to-day operations of each department.
