The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has taken steps to institutionalize the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative that has proven its value since President Donald Trump took office. The agency quietly issued a memo on Feb. 4 outlining plans to reclassify chief information officers (CIOs) across federal agencies, shifting them from career positions to political appointees.

The move signals an effort to integrate DOGE into the federal government’s structure, reinforcing its role in modernizing digital policy. The memo directs agencies to request the change by Feb. 14, a change that aligns with the administration’s goal of making government services more efficient and accessible. The new DOGE-aligned CIOs will play a key role in technology policy, particularly in procurement and privacy, while deprioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Unlike most large organizations, the federal government lacks a centralized IT department, leading to inefficiencies and reliance on expensive contractors. DOGE, formerly the U.S. Digital Service, is positioned to streamline government technology spending, a sector worth approximately $163 billion. Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has played a major role in this effort, with his influence now reaching multiple federal agencies.

However, the initiative has not been without controversy. A lawsuit filed by labor unions on Feb. 5 alleges that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent allowed DOGE members access to sensitive financial and personal information of millions of Americans. The lawsuit, led by the Alliance for Retired Americans and other labor groups, claims that Treasury data, including Social Security numbers and banking details, was exposed. A judge has temporarily blocked DOGE from accessing Treasury data, citing cybersecurity concerns.

Democrats and career federal employees have strongly opposed DOGE’s increasing influence, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calling it a “coup.” Protests have erupted outside OPM headquarters, with critics warning that political control over CIO appointments could compromise security and accountability. Meanwhile, federal workers reported receiving emails offering eight months’ pay in exchange for their resignation, part of a broader push to overhaul the workforce.

Despite the backlash, Musk and former DOGE co-lead Vivek Ramaswamy argue that modernizing federal technology is necessary to cut waste and improve efficiency. Musk has described himself as a “volunteer IT consultant” for the administration, emphasizing the need for better government-wide procurement policies. Ramaswamy has echoed similar concerns, pointing out the billions spent on IT contracts that often fail to deliver seamless services across agencies.

While opposition mounts, the Trump administration remains committed to DOGE’s mission, using OPM to implement sweeping personnel changes. The reclassification of CIOs is just one step in what appears to be a broader restructuring of federal technology leadership under Trump and Musk’s guidance.