The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, is looking to charge at least one federal agency millions of dollars for its work to streamline and modernize government operations.

The Deal with OPM: What’s at Stake?

According to a draft agreement obtained by CNN, DOGE is asking the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to fund 20 full-time positions for work scheduled between January 20 and July 4, 2026. The bill for this service could surpass $4 million.

The proposed work aims to modernize OPM’s outdated systems. The draft outlines a “critical need for rapid and thorough IT modernization,” which OPM is unable to handle internally. Under the terms, OPM would need to grant DOGE access to its data, systems, and provide necessary operational and technical support.

DOGE’s Mission: Efficiency or Controversy?

DOGE’s supporters, including Musk, argue that the department’s efforts are designed to make the government more efficient and save taxpayers money. However, critics are concerned about the department’s broader agenda — specifically its plans to reduce federal workforce size and access sensitive government data.

It’s still unclear whether DOGE intends to charge other federal agencies for similar services, as little is known about its budget and operations. DOGE is structured to avoid public disclosure under federal records laws, as it’s housed within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), part of the White House. This setup allows DOGE to function with the protections of executive privilege, shielding it from some oversight.

A Costly Agreement: How Much Will OPM Pay?

The draft agreement outlines that OPM would need to pay DOGE in advance each month for the work. While the agreement allows for some flexibility — including the potential for less work or reimbursements — it remains unclear whether any payments have been made so far.

Key Points from the Agreement:

• Position Funding: The full-time positions would be funded at the highest federal pay grades, typically reserved for senior managers. For example, the base annual salary for a position at this level is around $141,817, with the potential to reach $189,950 for positions based in Washington, D.C.
• Total Cost: Funding 20 full-time positions at the base salary over 17.5 months would add up to approximately $4.1 million.

One OPM employee, speaking to CNN anonymously, noted that although some may think people are “working for free,” the agency is, in fact, paying for the services. “It’s like having a contract with an entity to perform services, except this is forced on us,” the employee said.

Musk’s Role in DOGE

Musk’s involvement in the government is not new. President Donald Trump appointed him as a “special government employee” — a title that doesn’t fully capture his influence. Musk has attended Cabinet meetings and played an instrumental role in reshaping government operations through DOGE, which was previously known as the United States Digital Service (USDS) before Trump rebranded it on his first day in office.

While Musk has described himself as a volunteer, his department consists of highly skilled software engineers and tech professionals, many of whom could be earning far more in the private sector. “Some people are federal employees,” Musk said in a recent interview with Fox News. “But it’s fair to say that the software engineers at DOGE could be earning millions of dollars a year, and instead are earning a small fraction of that as federal employees.”

Lack of Transparency and Accountability

Despite its lofty goals, DOGE has faced significant scrutiny over its lack of transparency. With little information available about its budget, operations, and specific funding sources, taxpayers are left in the dark about the true costs of Musk’s government efficiency projects.

As the deal with OPM moves forward, the question remains: is DOGE truly saving the government money, or is this another example of unchecked federal spending under the guise of efficiency?

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Elon Musk is rapidly consolidating power within the federal government, backed by President Donald Trump’s administration. His growing influence has sparked outrage among Democrats, who accuse him of sidelining career officials, gaining access to sensitive data, and dismantling key government programs—all without congressional approval.

Musk’s Unprecedented Role in Government

In just over two weeks since Trump took office, Musk has established an alternative power structure within the federal government. As a special government employee, he is subject to fewer ethics and financial disclosure rules. Trump has given Musk an office inside the White House complex, where he oversees the Department of Government Efficiency—a team deployed across federal agencies to cut spending and remove employees.

On Monday, members of Musk’s team were spotted at the Department of Education, which Trump has vowed to abolish. The speed and scale of these changes have shocked Washington.

Trump Defends Musk’s Role

Despite growing concerns, Trump insists Musk is acting with his approval.

“Elon can’t do and won’t do anything without our approval,” Trump told reporters from the Oval Office.

The president also dismissed concerns about Musk’s conflicts of interest, even though Musk’s businesses—Tesla, SpaceX, and X—face federal scrutiny and hold government contracts.

“Where we think there’s a conflict or a problem, we won’t let him go near it, but he has some very good ideas,” Trump said.

Democrats Sound the Alarm

Democrats see Musk’s growing influence as a coup from within, accusing him of seizing unaccountable and illegal power.

“We will do everything in our power to stop this outrage,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). “Since our Republican colleagues won’t help us, we’re taking this fight to the courts to uphold the rule of law.”

The most drastic move yet came on Monday at USAID, the U.S. Agency for International Development. Musk ordered the agency to be shut down, calling it a “ball of worms.” Employees were locked out of their computers, and yellow police tape blocked the entrance to its Washington headquarters.

Federal Workers Face Uncertainty

Musk has also targeted the General Services Administration (GSA), which manages federal buildings. An internal email last week ordered the termination of 7,500 office leases nationwide.

This effort is being led by Nicole Hollander, who describes herself as an X employee on LinkedIn.

“This is out of control. This is not normal,” said Keya Chatterjee, executive director of Free DC, who protested outside the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on Monday.

Federal employees fear losing access to their records, including pay history and qualifications. Some agencies have advised workers to download their SF-50 forms to personal computers to ensure proof of employment.

Musk Gains Access to Treasury’s Payment System

One of Musk’s most controversial moves has been obtaining access to the U.S. Treasury’s payment system, responsible for processing $5 trillion in payments annually, including Social Security and federal salaries.

“No one outside of the Treasury staff has ever had access to this system,” said Richard Gregg, former fiscal assistant secretary at the Treasury Department.

Democrats are demanding Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revoke Musk’s access, calling it an unprecedented breach of financial security.

“That’s the biggest data hack ever,” said Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).

A coalition of retirees and union workers sued the Treasury Department on Monday, seeking to block the sharing of financial data with Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

Trump Rewards Musk’s Loyalty

Musk’s rapid ascent in government appears to be a reward for his support of Trump’s campaign. He contributed $250 million to America PAC, which funded door-to-door canvassing and digital advertising for Trump.

Musk has hinted at using his influence to endorse primary challenges against Republican lawmakers who oppose Trump’s agenda.

“The more I’ve gotten to know President Trump, the more I like him,” Musk said in a live-streamed conversation on X. “Frankly, I love the guy. He’s great.”

A Pivotal Moment in American Politics

Musk has framed his federal overhaul as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity:

“This is our shot. This is the best hand of cards we’re ever going to have. If we don’t take advantage of it now, it will never happen.”

As Musk continues reshaping the government with Trump’s backing, legal and political battles loom over the limits of presidential power. The future of the federal workforce—and the nation’s institutions—hangs in the balance.

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Throughout the 2024 campaign, former President Donald Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025, a conservative plan designed for his potential second term. However, debate remains about whether Trump and his allies might still implement parts of this plan if he wins. Regardless, Trump has his own vision for government reform, with notable figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Elon Musk in prominent roles.

Here’s a breakdown of what Trump and his allies have promised they would do if he wins the White House.

Giving RFK Jr. Free Rein Over Health and Safety

Trump has pledged to allow Kennedy significant authority over government health regulations. During a rally at Madison Square Garden, he stated, “I’m going to let him go wild on the food. I’m going to let him go wild on the medicines.”

Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again PAC outlines goals like promoting regenerative agriculture and reducing toxins in food, air, and water. However, Kennedy’s controversial background, including his views on vaccines and claims of health conspiracies, has raised concerns. He has also shared that, if Trump wins, he’s promised control over agencies like the HHS, CDC, FDA, NIH, and USDA to overhaul health policies, specifically focusing on pesticide use and dietary guidelines.

Trump has suggested Kennedy would participate on a panel investigating chronic diseases, while Project 2025 proposes splitting the CDC into smaller entities.

Elon Musk’s ‘Start from Scratch’ Government Overhaul

Trump’s vision for Musk includes a potential role in a new “Department of Government Efficiency,” where Musk would lead efforts to streamline federal agencies. Musk has stated he could “start from scratch” with the federal workforce, aiming for steep spending cuts — even suggesting savings of up to $2 trillion.

However, critics, including former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, argue that large-scale layoffs would have minimal impact, given that only a fraction of the federal budget goes toward payroll. Summers noted that achieving $2 trillion in cuts would likely require reductions in Social Security or Medicare, which Trump has vowed not to pursue.

A New Direction for Health Care

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Trump ally, recently hinted at plans for a major health care overhaul if Republicans win the House, implying an end to Obamacare without providing details. Trump’s previous attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) failed, but health care reform remains a Republican priority.

Challenges to Drastic Change

While Trump has broad ideas, enacting major government restructuring isn’t easy. Any sweeping change, like dismantling the ACA, would face strong opposition in Congress. Appointing Kennedy or Musk to leadership positions would likely require Senate confirmation, a hurdle that could be challenging given Kennedy’s past controversies.

In sum, while Trump and his allies propose a radical reimagining of the federal government, achieving such change would require significant legislative support, the specifics of which remain undefined for now.

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