As Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffers push forward with drastic cuts across the federal workforce, reports have surfaced that they have been sleeping in government buildings—an arrangement that has drawn scrutiny from ethics experts and federal employees alike.
Unauthorised sleeping quarters set up in Washington offices
At the General Services Administration (GSA) headquarters in Washington, multiple sources confirmed that DOGE employees have repurposed at least four rooms on the sixth floor into makeshift sleeping quarters. Outfitted with IKEA beds, dressers, and lamps, the rooms are accessible only with high-security clearance. Additionally, a child's play area with stuffed animals and toys has been set up, raising further questions about the extent of the arrangements.
A leaked invoice also revealed plans to install a washer and dryer on the same floor at an estimated cost of $25,000. While the GSA insists that all purchases have followed federal guidelines, questions remain about the legitimacy of government workers using federal buildings as living spaces.
Ethics experts raise concerns
Legal experts warn that the sleeping arrangements may violate federal policies that prohibit employees from using government buildings as residences, except in emergency situations. The 2019 GSA bulletin on workplace conduct states that overnight stays in agency offices are only permitted under direct supervisor orders and in cases of imminent danger or emergency.
Donald Sherman, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said the situation presents a contradiction in policy. “This administration is firing thousands of career federal employees under the premise of cost-cutting, yet it is allowing some workers to essentially live in government offices. That doesn’t make sense.”
Jeff Nesbit, a former federal affairs official, described the situation as unprecedented. “I have worked under four different presidents—two Republicans and two Democrats—and I have never heard of anything like this. The idea that senior government officials are sleeping in offices is beyond bizarre.”
Lack of transparency fuels concerns
DOGE’s lack of transparency continues to be a source of frustration for federal employees and lawmakers. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), a member of the House Oversight Committee, has been pushing for more accountability after receiving complaints from federal workers.
“This is the problem with DOGE,” he said. “They act without oversight and without transparency, making decisions that impact thousands of employees while evading accountability.”
Subramanyam attempted to enter a federal building with a blanket and pillow in a viral TikTok video, highlighting the absurdity of DOGE’s unchecked authority.
Musk’s influence on work culture
The sleeping arrangements mirror Musk’s past management practices at Tesla, SpaceX, and Twitter, where he famously encouraged employees to sleep at work to maximise productivity. Now, as Trump’s top advisor on government restructuring, he appears to be imposing similar expectations on federal employees. Reports indicate Musk himself has been spending nights at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, just steps from the White House.
A GSA spokesperson defended the arrangements, stating, “Government employees are working incredibly hard to reduce the federal deficit and ensure an efficient government.” However, critics argue that the sleeping quarters signal a chaotic work culture that lacks clear policy direction.
As concerns mount, lawmakers are pressing for an official review of DOGE’s practices. While cost-cutting remains a priority for the Trump administration, the blurred lines between efficiency and overreach could set a dangerous precedent for how government agencies operate in the future.
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