The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, unveiled a Senate report revealing that only 6% of federal employees consistently work in person. The findings, presented during DOGE’s first caucus meeting, highlight widespread remote work practices that critics say hinder government efficiency and accountability.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), who spearheaded the 18-month investigation, described Washington, D.C., as “a ghost town” with government buildings averaging only 12% occupancy. Ernst criticized the current state of the federal workforce, stating, “If federal employees can’t be found at their desks, exactly where are they?”
The report disclosed that nearly one-third of federal workers operate entirely remotely. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, just 3% of employees worked from home daily. Today, a mere 6% consistently report to their offices, while many buildings remain largely vacant.
Elon Musk voiced sharp criticism of federal work habits, stating on X, “If you exclude security guards & maintenance personnel, the number of government workers who show up in person and do 40 hours of work a week is closer to 1%!”
House Speaker Mike Johnson also condemned the findings, calling them “absurd” and promising a strong push to bring employees back to their desks. “One of the first things the new administration and Congress will demand is a return to the office,” Johnson said.
The report further uncovered financial abuses linked to remote work. Teleworking employees were found to be inflating their salaries by receiving incorrect locality pay, with some living thousands of miles from their assigned offices. Ernst’s audit showed that up to 68% of workers in some agencies exploited these discrepancies, costing taxpayers millions.
With DOGE prioritizing federal efficiency, Musk, Ramaswamy, and congressional leaders appear ready to hold the federal workforce accountable for its performance and workplace practices.
