In a significant shift within the Trump administration, multiple senior officials from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are set to depart, following Elon Musk's official withdrawal from his role. Sources disclosed to ABC News on Thursday that prominent figures, including James Burnham, DOGE's chief attorney, and Steve Davis, a long-time advisor to Musk, are currently in the process of offboarding from their positions as special government employees. A White House official confirmed these developments to ABC News.
Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and X, played a pivotal role in establishing the DOGE initiative at the beginning of President Donald Trump's administration. On Wednesday evening, Musk took to X to express his gratitude towards President Trump, stating, "As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end." Musk and several other DOGE staff members were appointed as special government employees, a designation limited to 130 days of service. Despite this constraint, Musk had previously indicated that DOGE would continue its operations throughout Trump's presidency.
Throughout its tenure, DOGE has claimed to achieve an astounding $175 billion in government savings. However, its aggressive cost-cutting measures have led to numerous lawsuits and allegations of unconstitutional practices. The departure of key figures like Burnham and Davis may impact DOGE's ongoing efforts and legal strategies.
Among those leaving the administration is Katie Miller, another special government employee who has served as a senior advisor and spokesperson for DOGE. Sources indicate that she will continue her collaboration with Musk in future endeavors. Burnham was instrumental in formulating the legal strategy for DOGE, while Davis managed the day-to-day operations, liaising with various federal agencies during his tenure.
ABC News has reached out to the individuals involved for comments. Reports suggest that other special government employees associated with DOGE are also planning to offboard in the near future. While Musk is officially stepping back from his role in the administration, a senior official stated that he will remain an unofficial advisor to the president, with potential participation in future White House meetings.
Despite Musk's departure, White House officials maintain that relations between Musk and Trump are cordial. However, the president has remained silent regarding Musk's exit, particularly in light of Musk's recent critical comments to CBS News about Trump's substantial spending bill that recently passed in the Republican-led House. In his farewell post, Musk asserted, "The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government."
