Washington, Feb 7 : Elon Musk’s attempt to bring Turkish-born venture capitalist Baris Akis into the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was reportedly halted by advisers to former President Donald Trump, according to a report by The Independent.
Baris Akis, a green card holder and close ally of Musk, was being considered for a key role at DOGE, a department established under the Trump administration to streamline the federal payment system and manage financial data of millions of Americans. However, Musk’s plans were stopped due to political concerns.
Trump’s advisers reportedly issued an “equivocal no” to the hiring, citing potential mixed signals it could send globally. The move, they feared, might conflict with the administration’s strong stance on immigration and mass deportation policies targeting illegal immigrants.
“We thought it could send a confusing message,” an official familiar with the matter told The Independent.
DOGE, which has garnered significant attention for its efficiency initiatives, was approved early in Trump’s presidency as part of his broader administrative reforms.
Musk’s connection to Akis, a prominent venture capitalist, highlights the Tesla CEO’s ambitions to bring innovative minds to public service. However, the political context of the Trump administration’s immigration policies led to the rejection of Akis’s hiring, despite his legal residency in the U.S.
The situation underscores the intersection of politics and governance within the Trump administration, where even legal residency was subject to scrutiny in high-profile appointments.
