The Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, continues to operate despite the ongoing federal government shutdown. This development comes in the wake of Elon Musk’s departure from his leadership role in the organization.
According to reliable sources at Bloomberg, 45 DOGE staffers have been exempted from furlough. This decision stands in contrast to statements from President Donald Trump and Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought, who have expressed intentions to reduce the federal workforce following the Democrats’ refusal to support a continuing resolution.
The exempt employees are part of the U.S. DOGE Service, operating within the Executive Office of the President. A memo from White House Office of Administration Director Joshua Fisher, released Thursday, outlined the staffing plan during the shutdown. However, the document did not provide explicit reasoning for the DOGE staffers’ exemption.
DOGE’s predecessor, the U.S. Digital Service, remained operational through previous shutdowns due to independent funding from fees charged to other government agencies. It is unclear if DOGE operates under a similar financial structure.
Compared to the 2018 federal shutdown during President Trump’s first term, 514 fewer White House staffers have been furloughed in the current situation. The Office of Management and Budget has retained 437 employees, a significant increase from the 161 who remained on duty in 2018.
Related: Government Shuts Down as Congress Fails to Reach Spending Deal
This raises important questions about the allocation of resources during a government shutdown and the criteria for determining essential personnel. As the situation continues to unfold, it will be crucial to monitor the impact on government services and the broader implications for federal operations.
