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12:30 Report — Who runs DOGE?

7 3
18.02.2025

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12:30 REPORT

It’s Tuesday. Who’s ready for the next winter storm? In this edition:

  • Elon Musk is not actually a part of DOGE, per the White House.
  • What we know about the Toronto plane crash.
  • Congress nears shutdown deadline with no plan.
  • Hannity’s Trump, Musk interview airs tonight.

I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips & feedback to cmartel@thehill.com. Someone forward this to you? Sign up.

 

Who makes the DOGE run? (not Musk):

© AP

(^try not saying that headline to the tune of “Who Let the Dogs Out?” I dare you.)

The White House says that even though tech billionaire Elon Musk is leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), he technically isn’t a part of it.

Huh?: The White House says Musk is actually an employee of the “White House Office” and serves as a senior adviser to the president.

💡 Why this matters: 14 states are suing President Trump and Musk over some of the major changes they’re making to the federal government. The lawsuit argues that Musk’s role is unconstitutional because he has not been confirmed by the Senate. However, the Trump administration argues Musk is not making formal decisions within the government — he is just advising Trump to do so.

To put a figure on DOGE: DOGE claims it has saved $55 billion in federal government funding through restructuring.

Five of the biggest DOGE controversies so far:

  • Access to Treasury Department — and taxes?
  • Hollowing out the U.S. Agency for International Development
  • Federal firings and the buyout offer
  • Putting a stop to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
  • Delving into the vaults at Fort........

    © The Hill