The White House has officially announced that Amy Gleason, a prominent healthcare technology executive, is now the acting administrator of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
While Gleason takes on this critical role, senior White House adviser Elon Musk remains the face of DOGE, overseeing its initiatives, as confirmed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The exact nature of the responsibilities between Gleason and Musk remains unclear, although Musk has gained visibility in promoting the cost-cutting measures initiated by DOGE.
Musk has engaged directly with former President Trump, including attending a recent cabinet meeting to highlight DOGE’s efforts, while also communicating updates through his extensive social media following.
DOGE has quickly positioned itself at the forefront of the current administration’s strategy to reduce the federal workforce, resulting in the termination of around 20,000 government employees.
To clarify the leadership structure of DOGE, here’s what you need to know about Amy Gleason.
Who is Amy Gleason?
Amy Gleason’s background includes her previous role as a senior advisor at what was formerly known as the U.S. Digital Service. This agency was transformed into the U.S. DOGE Service following its establishment under the Trump administration, aimed at modernizing the federal government’s digital framework.
Gleason has a history with the U.S. Digital Service from October 2018 to December 2021, spanning both Trump and Biden’s administrations, and she rejoined the agency in January.
Prior to her governmental roles, Gleason had a diverse career in the private sector, beginning as an emergency room nurse, which ignited her interest in the intersection of healthcare and technology. She later took on positions at various healthcare technology firms, including Allscripts, known for its electronic medical records solutions.
Gleason has personal experiences that shaped her understanding of healthcare as her daughter was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune condition, enhancing her perspective as a caregiver in navigating the healthcare system.
During her first tenure at the U.S. Digital Service, Gleason contributed to the White House Coronavirus Task Force’s data team, which played a vital role in shaping the federal government’s COVID-19 response.
Confusion surrounding the leadership of DOGE
Musk was appointed as a special government employee, a temporary designation allowing him to lend his expertise to the administration. However, his authority has faced scrutiny, leading to litigation regarding the extent of his decision-making powers.
The executive order establishing DOGE specifies that the office should be led by an administrator who reports to the White House chief of staff, while Musk serves as a senior adviser.
In ongoing legal challenges regarding Musk’s role, Justice Department representatives have often struggled to clarify the structure and leadership of DOGE. Recently, Justice Department attorney Bradley Humphreys could not identify the administrator during a court hearing.
In a press briefing, when asked about DOGE’s leadership, Karoline Leavitt affirmed Musk’s oversight role but indicated that the identities of the leadership team were confidential. However, she later acknowledged that Amy Gleason has been acting as DOGE’s administrator, confirming her position after ambiguity surrounding the timeline of her appointment.
