Elon Musk's Influence Over The Government Set To Increase, Trump Orders All Federal Agencies To Appoint A DOGE Commissar

President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Wednesday requiring all federal agencies to have a representative from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, marking a significant expansion of the billionaire’s influence over government operations.

What Happened: The executive order mandates that each federal agency appoint a DOGE representative to oversee spending and ensure transparency, Politico reports. These representatives will work alongside agency leadership to monitor all expenditures, requiring managers to provide written justifications for payments and implement new systems for tracking expenses.

The order also freezes most government credit cards for 30 days and requires monthly spending reports to be submitted to DOGE administrator Amy Gleason. This information will be made public, except for certain law enforcement and intelligence activities.

“To ensure Government spending is transparent and Government employees are accountable to the American public,” the order states, outlining the responsibilities of DOGE representatives.

This move is part of a broader efficiency project led by Trump and Musk, which has already resulted in the termination of numerous federal contracts and the dismissal of thousands of public-sector workers.

See Also: Will Investors Push Back Against Trump’s Massive Borrowing Plans?

Why It Matters: The expansion of DOGE’s influence comes at a time when the effectiveness of Trump and Musk’s cost-cutting measures is being questioned. Despite claims of billions in savings, government spending continues to rise, primarily due to increasing expenditures on health and retirement programs, as well as growing interest payments.

The initiative has faced significant challenges, including the resignation of over 20 civil service employees from DOGE, who cited concerns about dismantling critical public services. This setback, coupled with ongoing court challenges, has raised questions about the long-term viability of the administration’s approach to government reform.

Public opinion also appears to be mixed on Musk’s role in government. A recent Emerson College poll found that only 41% of voters approve of Musk’s performance at DOGE, with 45% disapproving. The poll also revealed limited support for some of DOGE’s more controversial proposals, such as eliminating the US Agency for International Development and the Department of Education.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration’s approach, stating, “Anyone who thinks protests, lawsuits, and lawfare will deter President Trump must have been sleeping under a rock for the past several years.”

Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock.com

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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Shivdeep Dhaliwal