Brianna Keilar Presses White House Adviser on Elon Musk's Role in DOGE

CNN’s Brianna Keilar challenged White House adviser Stephen Miller on the role of billionaire Elon Musk in the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Keilar pressed Miller on whether Musk, despite not being formally in charge, wields significant influence over the agency.

White House Clarifies Musk’s Position

The White House has stated that Musk is not technically part of the DOGE team but serves as a senior adviser to President Donald Trump. This distinction is critical as the administration faces a legal challenge regarding Musk’s level of authority within the government.

Musk’s role is a key point in an ongoing lawsuit over DOGE’s access to government data. The Trump administration argues that because Musk is an adviser and not the official administrator, he does not hold unchecked power. This classification could play a crucial role in defending against claims that Musk exercises unconstitutional authority.

Legal Battles and Government Pushback

Several Democratic-led states have filed lawsuits aiming to block Musk and DOGE from accessing government systems, alleging that Musk has excessive influence. The administration contends that Musk has no direct decision-making authority and is merely advising the president on efficiency reforms.

Joshua Fisher, director of the White House Office of Administration, emphasized in court documents that Musk is not a DOGE employee and does not control the agency’s operations. However, the administration has not publicly named the official leading DOGE, despite Musk championing its efforts on social media and at public appearances.

Continued Controversy and Musk’s Radical Proposals

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has remained vague about DOGE’s leadership structure but affirmed that Musk is executing the president’s vision for government reform. She also noted that layoffs within agencies are determined by their respective heads rather than Musk himself.

Meanwhile, Musk has fueled the controversy by advocating for the elimination of entire federal agencies as part of the administration’s spending reduction strategy. His outspoken stance has drawn both praise and criticism, intensifying the ongoing legal battles.

During a court hearing, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan expressed skepticism about the administration’s claim that Musk lacks formal authority, highlighting the complexity of the case and the significant power he appears to wield.

The debate over Musk’s role in DOGE continues, raising broader questions about government efficiency, executive power, and the limits of advisory roles within the federal government.