Elon Musk is expected to be close to Donald Trump after taking office as well as Secretary of Government Efficiency. He is expected to maintain access to the US president, while as a businessman he owns companies with billion-dollar contracts with the federal government.

Elon Musk is expected to use office space in the White House complex as secretary of state, the New York Times reports. From there, he wants to “run” the tasks assigned to him, with the goal of cutting government spending, according to two people briefed on the next administration’s plans.

The space reserved for Elon Musk’s use is located in the Eisenhower Executive Office, which is next door to the White House. The proximity will allow the billionaire to retain major access to Donald Trump, who takes office next week.

Elon Musk has had discussions with transition officials about his level of access to the West Wing. So far, it remains unclear. Staff members and those who can come and go freely in the West Wing usually need a special pass.

During the campaign season Elon Musk gave hundreds of millions to help Donald Trump win the election. Since then, he has been a steadfast supporter, and has been using one of the homes available for rent on the president-elect’s property in Mar-a-Lago. During the transition period, he attended official meetings, was present for at least one foreign communication, and reviewed staff and cabinet picks.

It remains unclear whether Vivek Ramaswamy’s partner in the ministry’s leadership will also have office space in the same building.

Questions about Elon Musk’s role and DOGE responsibilities

Besides, both Elon Musk’s role and the responsibilities of the ministry raise many questions. For now, the ministry’s staff is working out of Elon Musk’s SpaceX offices in Washington, D.C.

Transition officials and people associated with the ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Everything about the ministry is shrouded in secrecy, and little has been revealed about how it will operate or what its budget will be.

After Donald Trump takes over the leadership, it is expected to become clear how big Elon Musk’s team will be and what his position will be. Some transition officials have said he could become a “special government employee,” a status that can be paid or unpaid and has more flexible rules for personal financial disclosures than required for regular employees.

Should he become a “special government employee” Elon Musk is expected to forgo his salary. But there would be many legal implications for how his role would be defined and how the ministry would be integrated into the government bureaucracy.

Conflict of interest

Another issue relates to ethics rules, which include financial disclosures and conflict of interest prohibitions, such as limits on the ability of former special government employees to lobby on behalf of private interests after they worked on related issues.

In the US, government employees, including special temporary employees, are subject to a criminal conflict of interest law that prohibits them from participating in official matters in which they or their families or companies have a financial interest. Some of Elon Musk’s companies have contracts with the federal government. As such, the law would prohibit the Department of Government Efficiency from working on related matters if it assumes such status.

If Elon Musk or his staff were to obtain the title of special government employee, they would have to file financial transparency forms. If they decide to refuse government salaries, the Trump administration could keep the records secret. At the same time, there would be implications for government transparency laws.

Musk has not yet decided whether to assume the status and responsibilities that come with being a special government employee, according to allies.

Another related issue is the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA. It allows members of the press or public to request access to official records, with certain exemptions, and to sue for court orders requiring their release.

The president and his immediate staff at the White House, whose sole duty is to advise him, are considered exempt from FOIA requests. But much of the wider bureaucracy surrounding them is subject to such requests.