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Elon Musk’s DOGE Seeks Millions from Federal Agency for Efficiency Work Amid Scrutiny
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is seeking millions of dollars from the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to fund its operations, according to a draft agreement obtained by CNN. The request, which could exceed $4 million, covers the costs of 20 full-time positions from January 20 to July 4, 2026, raising questions about the transparency and cost-effectiveness of DOGE’s initiatives.
The agreement, which requires OPM to make advance monthly payments, highlights the financial demands of DOGE’s mission to slash public spending and tackle alleged waste and corruption. However, the arrangement has sparked concerns among federal employees and critics who question whether the costs align with the agency’s stated goal of reducing government inefficiency.
The $4 Million Request
Under the draft agreement, the 20 DOGE positions would be paid at the highest of 15 federal pay grades, with salaries ranging from 141,817to189,950 annually in the Washington, DC, area. Over the 17.5-month period, this would total approximately $4.1 million. The agreement also includes a clause allowing DOGE to reimburse OPM if it performs less work than expected, though it remains unclear whether any payments have already been made.
DOGE’s stated role in the agreement is to modernize OPM’s IT systems, citing an “immediate and critical need” for upgrades that the agency cannot handle on its own. OPM would also be required to grant DOGE access to its data and systems while providing operational and technical support.
Mixed Reactions and Concerns
The arrangement has drawn criticism from some OPM employees, who feel the agreement is being forced upon them. “Some people think they are working for free. No, we are paying. It’s like having a contract with an entity to perform services, except this is forced on us,” one OPM employee told CNN.
The lack of transparency around DOGE’s budget and funding sources has further fueled skepticism. The department operates under the Office of Management and Budget, shielding it from federal public records laws. While the White House has clarified that Musk is not the administrator of DOGE but serves as an adviser to President Donald Trump, questions remain about the true cost of DOGE’s initiatives to taxpayers.
Musk’s Role and Vision
Elon Musk has described himself as a volunteer in his role at DOGE, emphasizing that many of its employees are federal workers earning far less than they could in the private sector. “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,” Musk told Fox News host Sean Hannity.
Musk has been vocal about his criticism of government spending, calling government-funded NGOs “a nightmare” and suggesting they serve as a loophole for financial gain. DOGE has framed its work as essential to reducing wasteful spending, claiming that the US government loses 2trillionannuallyandfailsaudits.Muskhascitedexampleslikea12 billion Navy allocation that resulted in no additional submarines as evidence of systemic inefficiency.
A Broader Debate on Government Spending
The request for millions from OPM underscores the broader debate over the cost and effectiveness of DOGE’s efforts. While supporters argue that the agency is taking necessary steps to streamline government operations, critics question whether the financial burden on federal agencies like OPM justifies the potential savings.
As DOGE continues its work, the coming months will be critical in determining whether its ambitious goals can be achieved without placing undue strain on federal resources. For now, the $4 million request serves as a reminder of the challenges and controversies surrounding efforts to reform government spending.
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