The Trump administration is making a significant change to how technology leadership is handled in federal agencies, allowing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to play a larger role in shaping IT policy. A new directive from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) requires agencies to transition chief information officer (CIO) roles from career-reserved to general positions, enabling them to be filled by political appointees.
The deadline for agencies to request this change is Feb. 14. The OPM memo states that CIOs are now deeply involved in public policy decisions, overseeing procurement and security while guiding digital infrastructure strategy. DOGE, formerly the U.S. Digital Service, has been tasked with modernizing the federal government’s approach to technology.
Federal agencies collectively spend about $163 billion on IT services each year, much of it directed toward private contractors. DOGE’s mandate includes reviewing these expenditures and streamlining procurement processes to reduce reliance on outside vendors. The administration has also signaled that these new CIOs will deprioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, shifting focus toward improving efficiency and security.
The changes have been met with opposition from career federal employees and Democratic lawmakers. Protests outside OPM headquarters have drawn attention to the restructuring, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez referring to it as a “coup.” Critics argue that placing political appointees in CIO roles could compromise the impartiality of government operations. Meanwhile, federal employees reported receiving emails offering severance packages in exchange for resigning, fueling speculation about a broader restructuring effort.
Legal battles are also underway. A lawsuit against the Treasury Department claims that DOGE representatives were given access to sensitive financial data without proper authorization. The case, filed by labor unions, alleges that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent allowed DOGE personnel to obtain records containing Social Security numbers, banking information, and other personal data. A judge has temporarily blocked DOGE from accessing these files as the case moves forward.
Despite these hurdles, Musk and former DOGE co-lead Vivek Ramaswamy remain committed to the initiative. Musk has argued that government IT procurement is inefficient, while Ramaswamy has pointed to the lack of coordination between federal agencies as a pressing issue. The administration continues to push forward with its plan, with DOGE solidifying its role in shaping the future of federal technology policy.
