The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), a federal human-resources agency overseeing government firings, has hired its first new career employee since President Donald Trump took office. The position is for a driver to ferry around OPM leaders.
According to emails seen by Reuters, the move comes as OPM has laid off over 200 employees and allowed more than 400 to opt in to voluntary exit programs. This development has sparked criticism from experts, who say it highlights the lack of effectiveness in OPM’s mission.
“OPM’s mission is becoming increasingly obvious as having absolutely nothing to do with efficiency,” said Kathleen Clark, a professor of ethics at Washington University in St. Louis. “Authorizing a Musk-controlled agency like OPM to hire a driver while slashing essential federal workers who actually help Americans in need is a good example.”
The controversy surrounding the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk advisor, has raised concerns about its true purpose. Critics argue that DOGE’s actions are aimed at enabling Musk to use and abuse power within the federal government.
OPM spokesperson declined to comment further on the agency’s security concerns and hiring practices.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-agency-leading-musks-firing-spree-hire-new-driver-emails-show-2025-03-31