We finally know who’s legally running DOGE

The White House has named Amy Gleason as the acting administrator of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The news, delivered by an unnamed White House official to CNBC and other media outlets, follows days of obfuscation in courtrooms, the press, and the pseudo-department itself. It designates Gleason a likely target for the nigh-continuous legal challenges over DOGE’s access to sensitive data and freezing of government funds — while potentially shielding its high-level leader Elon Musk.

Gleason’s LinkedIn profile indicates she previously served in the US Digital Service (which has since been converted to serve DOGE’s efforts) and worked for the healthcare investment firm Russell Street Ventures. It’s unclear when she was given her current title or whether there are plans for a permanent head of DOGE. And earlier today, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt refused to name a formal administrator for the group. “I am not going to reveal the name of that individual from this podium,” Leavitt said, telling reporters she would be “happy to follow up” later to provide it.

Gleason was already identified as a possible leader in a February 18th Wired story, where USDS employees described her as a liaison between DOGE, USDS, and other agencies. But at that point, Wired noted that “little is known about her official role” and said even employees weren’t sure who was supposed to be in charge.

The government has been cagey about who formally runs DOGE while leaving little doubt about who’s in charge. Leavitt and others have repeatedly identified Musk as overseeing DOGE’s overall operation. At the same time, they’ve denied that he has any formal association with it, saying he’s merely a special government employee serving as an advisor.

This extends to statements made under oath in weeks of courtroom drama — as numerous state attorneys general and private actors argue that DOGE is operating illegally, while the government seeks to insulate Musk and avoid naming anyone the challengers could sue. A February 17th court filing asserted that Musk had “no actual or formal authority” in DOGE. Later, in a hearing on February 24th, Department of Justice lawyer Bradley Humphreys told Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly that he didn’t know if anyone led the organization at all.

“Is there an administrator of DOGE at the present time?” Kollar-Kotelly asked.

“I don’t know the answer to that,” Humphreys replied.