Leadership Changes at the Division of Authorities Effectiveness Following Elon Musk’s Departure
The top-tier officials overseeing the Division of Authorities Effectiveness are preparing to step down in the wake of Elon Musk’s exit as head of DOGE. This transition marks a significant shift within the agency’s leadership structure.
Key Personnel Departing the Agency
Among those leaving are three prominent figures: strategic advisor Steve Davis, communications director and advisor Katie Miller, and legal counsel James Burnham. An official from the White House confirmed these departures to The Hill.
Steve Davis, who previously held a senior role at DOGE, has a history of collaboration with Musk across several ventures, including the Dumb Firm, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter). During his tenure as DOGE’s chief operating officer, Davis expressed enthusiasm about the project’s potential, describing it as a “fascinating initiative” worth pursuing. In March, he shared insights with Fox News, emphasizing the importance of DOGE’s mission and its promising future.
Additionally, Davis participated in a White House briefing alongside Musk, where he discussed DOGE’s ongoing work and strategic outlook with a select group of journalists. His involvement underscored his integral role in the agency’s operations.
Profiles of the Departing Officials
Katie Miller, married to Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, previously served in the Trump administration and was appointed to DOGE’s advisory board in December. Her experience in government and communication expertise made her a key figure in the agency’s strategic planning.
James Burnham, the agency’s general counsel, is also a notable figure. He is the founder and president of Vallecity Capital LLC and has a distinguished legal background, including clerking for Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.
Elon Musk’s Public Farewell and Political Commentary
Recently, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his appreciation for President Donald Trump. He stated, “As my term as a Special Government Employee concludes, I want to thank President @realDonaldTrump for his efforts to reduce wasteful government spending. The @DOGE initiative will only strengthen over time as it becomes embedded in government operations.”
However, Musk’s departure coincides with controversy surrounding federal spending policies. Earlier this week, he criticized the recent large-scale spending bill passed by Congress, which is projected to increase national debt to approximately $4 trillion despite significant cuts to public services. Musk voiced his disapproval, stating, “I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, which not only increases the deficit but also undermines the work the DOGE team is doing,” in an interview with CBS.
Both Musk and other senior DOGE officials are subject to a 130-day restriction on their government service, a common regulation for those in the role of a Special Government Employee. Musk has indicated plans to return full-time to his private enterprises once this period ends.
His departure follows the recent termination of a former DOGE associate, Sahil Lavingia, who was dismissed after discussing his work in an interview published earlier this month. Lavingia, an engineer and startup founder, shared that he found the government environment surprisingly efficient, contrary to his expectations of bureaucratic sluggishness. He was serving as a senior advisor at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Government Operations Division.
Lavingia remarked, “The culture shock was mainly the number of meetings rather than decision-making delays. It’s actually quite functional, and I was surprised by how well the system works. I had anticipated more straightforward wins, but the process is more effective than I expected.”
Political Reactions and Fiscal Concerns
Meanwhile, fiscal conservatives express frustration over the lack of concrete spending reductions in the recent budget proposals. Many are alarmed by the potential increase in government expenditure, which could exacerbate the national debt crisis.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized congressional Republicans for failing to implement meaningful cuts, stating on X, “It’s disheartening to see Republicans abandon their promises to reduce wasteful spending. This betrayal undermines the voters’ trust.”
Similarly, Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene called for aggressive budget cuts, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the mounting national debt. She wrote, “We must push for significant reductions in government spending and eliminate fraud and waste. Our nation’s financial stability depends on it.”
