Young engineers under Elon Musk to reduce government costs

Elon Musk is reportedly leading a bold "hostile takeover" of U.S. federal government infrastructure through a new initiative named the Department of Government Efficiency, abbreviated as DOGE.

This project is notably driven by a group of six young engineers who are between the ages of 19 and 24. Their names are Akash Bobba, Edward Coristine, Luke Farritor, Gautier Cole Killian, Gavin Kliger, and Ethan Shaotran.

Despite their youth and lack of significant government experience, these individuals have been assigned crucial responsibilities within the DOGE framework. Some of them are said to have personal connections to Musk, and at least two of the engineers are linked to Peter Thiel, a prominent figure and cofounder of the data analytics company Palantir.

Reports indicate that Musk's associates, which include individuals from xAI, Tesla, and the Boring Company, have managed to gain control over key government entities such as the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the General Services Administration (GSA). They now have access to the Treasury Department's payment systems, which raises serious concerns about oversight.

Recently, CNN revealed that personnel associated with DOGE attempted to access classified information and secure systems at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Officials who intervened to stop this effort were reportedly placed on leave, indicating potential repercussions for those trying to uphold security measures. Additionally, the Associated Press has reported that DOGE personnel successfully accessed classified materials, further complicating the situation.

Don Moynihan, a public policy professor at the University of Michigan, views this development as unprecedented. He emphasizes the dangers of non-official actors gaining access to sensitive government data without adequate oversight or accountability.

Within this group, Akash Bobba stands out, with an impressive background that includes internships at notable organizations such as Bridgewater Associates, Meta, and Palantir. His past work experience highlights the technical skills these young engineers bring to their roles in DOGE, raising questions about the implications of their youth and relative inexperience in such critical positions.