Amy Gleason Appointed Acting Administrator of DOGE
Amy Gleason’s appointment as acting administrator of DOGE marks a significant moment in her career, as she transitions from the private sector back into government service. With her background in healthcare technology and her experience working alongside federal agencies during the pandemic, Gleason is well-positioned to lead DOGE’s mission of improving government efficiency.
Her work at the United States Digital Service (USDS) allowed her to collaborate closely with the White House, particularly during the federal response to the COVID-19 crisis, making her familiar with the complexities of government operations. Gleason's expertise in both technology and healthcare has given her a unique perspective on how to optimize government systems for better efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Gleason’s professional journey is rooted in her advocacy for more innovative and patient-centered healthcare, driven by her daughter’s struggle with juvenile myositis. This personal experience has deeply influenced her approach to solving inefficiencies in healthcare and, by extension, in government services. As DOGE’s acting administrator, she will now have the opportunity to apply her passion for systemic reform on a broader scale, overseeing efforts to reduce waste and improve operational effectiveness across government agencies.
Her focus on cost-cutting measures, including reducing personnel and contracts, aligns with the broader goals of the DOGE initiative, which seeks to make the federal government more efficient and responsive to the needs of citizens. Gleason’s leadership is expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing efforts to streamline federal operations, with her work directly influencing key decisions that will shape the future of U.S. government services.
White House Names Amy Gleason Acting Administrator of DOGE
After weeks of speculation and refusal to confirm, the White House on Tuesday officially revealed that Amy Gleason has been appointed as the acting administrator of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Gleason, a former healthcare technology consultant and official at the U.S. Digital Service (USDS), steps into this role amid ongoing efforts to downsize the federal government under the Trump administration.
The Trump administration had previously faced questions about the leadership of DOGE, particularly regarding billionaire Elon Musk's involvement. In a court filing earlier this month, the administration clarified that Musk, despite being mentioned by President Donald Trump as overseeing the initiative, does not have formal authority over the cost-cutting program. Instead, Musk is an unpaid "special government employee," as outlined by the White House, with a temporary advisory role.
Gleason’s appointment follows her return to government service ahead of Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025. While her LinkedIn profile indicates she has been serving as a senior adviser since January, the exact timing of her appointment to the acting administrator role remains unclear. Gleason has been involved in liaising with other agencies, supporting the transition, and overseeing the agency’s mission to radically reduce federal spending, including job cuts and contract terminations.
Before her current role, Gleason worked at USDS from 2018 to 2021, where she played a key role in technology and government efficiency projects. Her background includes leadership roles in healthcare technology and venture capital, particularly in rural healthcare organizations. As DOGE’s acting administrator, Gleason will work directly with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, executing the agenda of streamlining government operations and cutting costs.
References
- https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/25/politics/amy-gleason-doge-acting-administrator/index.html. (n.d.). https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/25/politics/amy-gleason-doge-acting-administrator/index.html
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cost-cutting.asp. (n.d.). https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cost-cutting.asp
- India Today. (2025, February 26). White House says Amy Gleason, not Elon Musk, is heading Trump's DOGE. India Today. https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/white-house-names-amy-gleason-acting-head-of-elon-musk-doge-program-2685671-2025-02-26
- Kenton, W. (2020, June 15). Cost cutting: Importance of strategy, risks posed. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cost-cutting.asp
- The White House. (2025a, January 20). The inaugural address. https://www.whitehouse.gov/remarks/2025/01/the-inaugural-address/
- The White House. (2025b, February 25). The Trump administration. https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/
- The White House. (2025c, February 25). The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/
- United States Digital Service. (2025, February 7). United States Digital Service. https://www.usds.gov/
