Trump hired Musk as a 'special government employee.' Here's what that means

Following his second term inauguration, Donald Trump appointed Elon Musk as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), charged with cutting federal spending. This initiative has led to many government grants being terminated and disruptions in agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development. Musk, as a 'special government employee,' is in a temporary role that provides expert support, as established by Congress in 1962. This designation allows for flexibility in hiring, bypassing the extensive process involved in regular federal employment.

"Typically, SGEs are hired as experts or consultants or serve as members of federal advisory committees, of which there are roughly 1,000 across the U.S. government."

"One reason government officials take on SGEs is that it's less burdensome than hiring regular federal employees, according to Joanna Friedman, a partner with the Federal Practice Group."

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