While some lawmakers [Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif.] have raised concerns that remaining members of the Department of Government Efficiency have “burrowed in” to their agencies by converting to career roles, all remaining staff affiliated with the cost cutting and modernization entity remain in political appointments.
“Although Elon Musk has departed, his influence remains, as DOGE and its employees attempt to become a permanent part of the federal government, scattered across agencies where they can continue to sabotage key functions from within,” the lawmakers said in a letter sent to OPM Director Scott Kupor on Thursday.
No such conversions have occurred, however, according to an OPM spokesperson, who confirmed all officials initially appointed to DOGE roles who remain in government are still in politically appointed positions. Federal agencies have wide latitude to name individuals to political positions without Senate confirmation through “Schedule C” and other non-career appointments.
The ever-controversial practice known as burrowing is legal, but must follow a strict set of procedures to ensure political appointees are qualified for the career jobs for which they are hired. OPM conducts reviews of all agency appointments of current or former political appointees into competitive service and non-political excepted service jobs prior to their implementation.
There is no exact count of DOGE-affiliated employees still employed at agencies throughout government, though dozens are thought to still be working in the Trump administration despite the departure of Elon Musk, its initial leader. Many such employees are heading for the exits, including at the departments of Interior and Labor, as well as the General Services Administration.
In recent congressional testimony, OMB Director Russ Vought made clear he expected that the DOGE will be a permanent fixture in the Trump administration. The vision for the new entity is for it to be “far more institutionalized at the actual agency [level],” he said, suggesting DOGE staffers are now decentralized and embedded throughout government.
“The cabinet agencies that are in charge of the DOGE consultants that work for them are fundamentally in control of DOGE,” Vought said.
Lambert here: Given the givens, I don’t see how OPM can be expected to “confirm” anything.
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