NEW: Elon Musk’s First DOGE Agents Arrive In DC, Begin Targeting IRS

A new wave of federal disruption has landed in Washington as Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), begins deploying agents to examine the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Federal officials are scrambling to adjust as DOGE’s presence marks a significant escalation in Musk and his allies’ campaign to reshape government bureaucracy. The “nongovernmental” body, spearheaded by Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, was announced last year as a privately funded watchdog group designed to investigate inefficiency and redundancy within federal agencies. The initiative gained traction with the support of President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to be inaugurated as president later this month.

The term “Doge” originates from a widely recognized internet meme featuring a Shiba Inu dog, celebrated for its captions in broken English. The cultural phenomenon later inspired Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency initially created as a parody but which gained notable traction. In November, President-elect Trump unveiled the Department of Government Efficiency, an initiative designed to streamline federal operations and reduce waste. The name was a deliberate nod to the Doge meme and Dogecoin. Musk has suggested that DOGE could slash up to $2 trillion from the federal budget by eliminating redundancies, scaling back the workforce, and dissolving unnecessary agencies. The announcement also sent Dogecoin’s value soaring.

Now days away from inauguration day, a nongovernmental group tied to his transition team, DOGE, has been quietly coordinating with officials across multiple federal agencies. Aides from the organization have engaged with staff members at more than a dozen agencies, including the Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service, and the departments of Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, and Health and Human Services. Simultaneously, Musk and Ramaswamy have accelerated hiring for DOGE, which operates as an independent advisory entity with ties to Trump’s incoming administration. Over 50 staffers are now working out of SpaceX’s Washington, D.C., offices, reflecting the group’s rapid expansion.

According to The Washington Post, plans are in motion to bring the team’s size to approximately 100 employees by the January 20 inauguration, spotlighting the ambitious scope of its mission to influence federal government efficiency. DOGE, while not officially affiliated with the federal government, has emerged as a pivotal player in shaping policy priorities under the new administration. Its close connections to Trump’s transition team have raised questions about the organization’s potential influence on the federal bureaucracy. Both Musk and Ramaswamy have framed the initiative as a nonpartisan effort to streamline government operations, though its proximity to the president-elect’s circle has drawn scrutiny from critics concerned about conflicts of interest. Skeptical civil servants and hesitant congressional Republicans question the feasibility of DOGE’s ambitions, with federal employees citing remarks by Musk and Ramaswamy that suggest a disconnect between Silicon Valley’s fast-moving culture and Washington’s intricate bureaucracy.

An unclear role has complicated an otherwise smooth presidential transition. Leadership positions have been solidified as the initiative moves forward. Steve Davis, the Boring Company president known for implementing major cost reductions at X after Musk’s takeover, is playing a key role in overseeing the broader strategy. Specific aspects, such as navigating legislation and regulation, are being managed by newly appointed deputies, according to individuals familiar with the plans. Emil Michael, a former Uber executive, is said to be focusing on regulatory reforms, according to The Washington Post.