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Elon Musk’s DOGE Staff: A Powerful Young Squadron Remaking the Federal Government
Three weeks into Donald Trump’s second term, the makeup of Elon Musk’s DOGE staff is becoming clearer. Unionjournalism has seen a list of about 30 White House DOGE staffers, and we can report that nearly all are early- or mid-career professionals. They include tech advisors, a former Clarence Thomas clerk, and a former McKinsey consultant. Here’s a breakdown of the DOGE team and the roles they play in Musk’s cost-cutting squad.
Tech Talent at the Heart of DOGE
Tech workers make up the largest chunk of the DOGE team on the list reviewed by Unionjournalism. Some are veteran software engineers, while others are relatively junior. Kyle Schutt, 37, is a tech startup worker who was most recently employed at an AI interviewing software company, and Austin Raynor, 36, is a lawyer who clerked for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Raynor was interviewed on NTD news in November, outlining how Trump could challenge birthright citizenship. Schutt didn’t respond to a request for comment, but his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech speaks volumes about his technical prowess.
Edward Coristine, 19, and Luke Farritor, 23, are also part of the tech team. Farritor, a former SpaceX intern, was a senior at the University of Nebraska when he was named a Thiel Fellow last year. Two close associates of Musk are also on the list: Steve Davis, who leads The Boring Company, Musk’s tunneling company, and Jehn Balajadia, Musk’s assistant.
Legal Eagles and Financial Wizards
The DOGE team is not just about tech talent. The list seen by Unionjournalism includes lawyers, financiers, and political experts. Adam Ramada, 35, is an investor whose firm took a stake in a SpaceX supplier last year. Ramada’s background in finance is a valuable asset to the DOGE team as they work to streamline government operations and reduce costs.
Kendall Lindemann, 24, worked for a healthcare firm founded by the senior DOGE official Brad Smith. Her experience in the healthcare industry will be crucial as the DOGE team tackles the challenges of reforming government healthcare programs.
DOGE Affiliates in Other Agencies
While the US DOGE Service is part of the White House Office, the White House hasn’t released details about its inner workings or staff. However, the list seen by Unionjournalism helps shed light on the powerful young squadron tasked with remaking the federal government. Beyond the gates of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the executive order behind DOGE called for agencies to create their own “DOGE Teams,” and people linked to Elon Musk have popped up in employee directories at the Treasury Department, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Department of Education, and other agencies, news reports say.
Some of the people listed as White House DOGE staff are also employees of other agencies. For instance, Tom Krause and Marko Elez, both previously linked to the Treasury Department, have been associated with DOGE. Elez resigned from the Treasury Department last week after The Wall Street Journal reported on racist social media posts from an account linked to him; Musk said on X one day later that he would rehire him.
Volunteers and Paid Positions
The records seen by Unionjournalism don’t include the names of some DOGE affiliates who have appeared in legal filings and news reports as working for other agencies. The records also categorize nearly all of the DOGE staffers as volunteers. However, Wired earlier reported that the DOGE engineer Luke Farritor posted to Discord looking for software engineers, saying the position would be “paid,” but not by whom, according to the outlet.
As the DOGE team continues its work to dismantle federal agencies, reduce staff, slow down enforcement, and gain access to the digital systems that help shepherd trillions of taxpayer dollars, it’s clear that they are a force to be reckoned with. With their diverse backgrounds in tech, finance, law, and politics, they are well-equipped to tackle the challenges of remaking the federal government.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the recent revelation of the DOGE staff list has provided an unprecedented glimpse into the inner workings of Elon Musk’s cost-cutting squad. The diverse team, comprising individuals from esteemed institutions such as McKinsey and the Supreme Court, underscores the significance of the DOGE initiative in driving efficiency and streamlining operations within Musk’s vast business empire. The article’s examination of the team members’ backgrounds and expertise highlights the calculated approach Musk has taken in assembling a team equipped to tackle the complex challenges of cost-cutting, from process optimization to financial analysis.
The implications of this development are far-reaching, as the DOGE team’s efforts are poised to have a lasting impact on the future of Musk’s companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, and Twitter. As the team continues to implement cost-cutting measures, it is likely that we will see significant changes in the way these companies operate, with potential ripple effects throughout the industries in which they operate. Furthermore, the DOGE initiative may serve as a model for other companies seeking to optimize their operations and improve their bottom line.
As we look to the future, it is clear that the DOGE staff list has shed new light on the machinations of Elon Musk’s business empire, revealing a calculated and deliberate approach to cost-cutting that is driven by a diverse and highly skilled team. As the business world continues to grapple with the challenges of a rapidly changing landscape, the question remains: what other secrets lie hidden in the inner workings of the world’s most influential companies, waiting to be uncovered? One thing is certain – the DOGE staff list has set a new standard for transparency, and it will be fascinating to see how this trend evolves in the years to come.