DOGE has cut jobs at nearly every federal agency, canceled thousands of contracts and taken control of computer systems that run the government. As its leader, Musk has been a polarizing figure seen by many Republicans as an agent of cost cutting and efficiency and by Democrats as a blunt-force instrument hurting government services.

Musk’s minions are embedded, along with Trump political appointees, in the “deep state.” Vought will be their new and less turbulent leader.