The Musk Takeover: How Elon and The DOGE team Are Reshaping the U.S. Government

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — yes, that’s its actual name

Elon Musk has never been one to sit back and let inefficiency fester—whether it’s in the world of electric cars, rockets, or now, government itself. Enter the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE (because of course it’s called DOGE), a new federal initiative that has put Musk and his hand-picked team of engineers at the center of government modernization efforts.

The idea? Bring Silicon Valley speed and efficiency to the slow-moving behemoth that is the U.S. federal government. The reality? A bunch of very young engineers—some fresh out of high school—now have access to sensitive government systems.

And, naturally, people are losing their minds over it.

The teen squad running Washington

If you thought the government was run by gray-haired bureaucrats in ill-fitting suits, well, you’re about to have your worldview shattered. The core of Musk’s DOGE team includes six engineers between the ages of 19 and 24. These aren’t your typical career government employees—they’re prodigies from places like UC Berkeley, Harvard, and even Neuralink’s intern program. Here’s a quick rundown of the key players:

• Akash Bobba (22): UC Berkeley graduate with internships at Meta, Palantir, and Bridgewater Associates. Now holds a high-level security clearance.
• Edward Coristine: A recent high school graduate. Yes, you read that right. He interned at Neuralink and now has access to sensitive federal data.
• Luke Farritor, Gautier Cole Killian, Gavin Kliger, and Ethan Shaotran: Various AI and software whizzes with backgrounds in OpenAI-supported projects and other high-tech ventures.

While their technical brilliance isn’t in question, their government experience (or lack thereof) has become a lightning rod for criticism. Should a 19-year-old really be overseeing critical government systems? Musk seems to think so.

Palantir: the other tech giant in the room

Elon isn’t the only tech mogul making power moves in Washington. Palantir Technologies, co-founded by billionaire and longtime Musk ally Peter Thiel, has been quietly embedding itself deeper into government operations.

• Shyam Sankar, Palantir’s CTO, is reportedly in line for a top Pentagon position.
• Former Palantir employees now hold chief information officer (CIO) roles in at least three major government agencies.

The company, which specializes in big data analytics and government contracts, has long been a favorite of the intelligence and defense sectors. Now, with Musk’s DOGE team in play, Palantir’s influence is growing even further.

The key government agencies feeling the Musk effect

Musk’s reach isn’t limited to just DOGE. His allies and engineers are showing up in crucial federal departments, shaking things up:

• Office of Personnel Management (OPM): Musk’s team now has unprecedented access to federal human resources data. Critics are worried about what that means for government hiring practices.
• General Services Administration (GSA): DOGE engineers are attending high-level meetings with government officials.
• U.S. Treasury: Musk’s people have been looped into discussions about federal budgeting and financial oversight. Because if there’s one thing Elon knows, it’s making money moves.

The backlash: is this a tech coup?

Not everyone is thrilled about this rapid tech-industry takeover of Washington. Critics—ranging from cybersecurity experts to seasoned bureaucrats—have raised several concerns:

1. Lack of experience: The DOGE engineers are undoubtedly smart, but intelligence doesn’t automatically translate to governance skills.
2. Security risks: Granting high-level clearances to individuals with limited government background is making security officials nervous.
3. Conflicts of interest: Musk’s cozy relationship with the federal government raises questions about whether he’s working for America—or just himself.
4. Unprecedented authority: Some argue Musk is effectively running an agency that was never officially approved by Congress. Can one billionaire just make up a government department?

The future of DOGE: revolution or disaster?

What’s the endgame here? If Musk gets his way, we’ll likely see a radical shift in how the federal government operates:

• AI-powered decision-making: Automated systems could soon evaluate federal contracts and budget proposals, cutting down on bureaucracy.
• Hiring shake-ups: The OPM overhaul could mean government hiring focuses less on traditional qualifications and more on raw talent—think fewer career bureaucrats, more rogue engineers.
• A slimmer, faster government: Musk’s whole philosophy is about efficiency. Whether that means genuine improvements or just aggressive cost-cutting remains to be seen.

Is this the Musk era of government?

Elon Musk has already transformed multiple industries—space travel, electric vehicles, social media, AI. Now, he’s taking on the government itself.

Is this a tech-fueled revolution that will finally bring Washington into the 21st century? Or is it an overreach that could lead to unintended chaos? One thing’s for sure—DOGE to the moon isn’t just a meme anymore.

The future of government might just have a Tesla logo on it.