Overview
- A new analysis describes the initiative as embedded across departments and functioning like a parallel civil service despite official assertions that it was disbanded.
- Ars Technica reports the effort now operates in decentralized form with appointees inside agencies, and some observers warn the White House could re-empower it.
- Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington says the entity evaded transparency laws and is pressing for documents on operations during Elon Musk’s tenure.
- Independent assessments conclude the drive failed to cut federal outlays even as it produced the fastest peacetime reduction in the federal workforce, with Brookings calling the cuts poorly targeted.
- Musk recently said the project was only “somewhat successful” and suggested he would likely not return to lead a similar effort.