A former employee of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has dropped a bombshell about what he discovered while working under Elon Musk’s brief leadership. Despite DOGE’s mission to root out fraud, waste, and abuse in federal spending, Sahil Lavingia revealed in an interview with NPR that these issues were “relatively nonexistent” during his time, especially within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Contrary to the popular perception of a bloated, inefficient government rife with corruption, Lavingia was surprised to find a surprisingly lean and efficient operation—although he did note there was room for modernization, particularly in replacing outdated practices like fax machines and excessive paperwork.
Lavingia’s unexpected praise for government efficiency stands in stark contrast to Musk’s aggressive approach of cutting contracts and laying off thousands of federal workers in an attempt to streamline operations. The former employee explained that his tech industry background had skewed his expectations; unlike private companies with surplus staff and resources, the federal government has long been under public scrutiny, making blatant waste less common than outsiders might believe. However, he emphasized that his positive assessment did not mean the government couldn’t improve—it simply suggested that Musk’s mission to slash perceived inefficiencies might have been chasing ghosts.
The story took a dramatic twist when Lavingia revealed why his tenure at DOGE ended abruptly. After speaking candidly to a blogger about his experiences and Musk’s push for transparency, Lavingia’s access was suddenly revoked without warning—effectively ending his role and cutting off communication. He described the experience as being “ghosted,” underscoring the intense secrecy and internal tensions surrounding Musk’s controversial stint in government reform. This episode adds a new layer of intrigue to DOGE’s short-lived existence and Musk’s ambitious, if turbulent, attempt to overhaul federal bureaucracy.
