Senate minority staff estimated $16.8 million to reinstate wrongly dismissed staff

Entities and roles

• Russell VoughtTrump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB director
• Elon MuskTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work
• Office of Personnel Managementpersonnel office behind dismissal guidance later reversed
• Donald J. Trumppresident authorizing the administration action

Relationships in this file

1. Elon Muskrequired agencies to reinstate workers after defective dismissalsOffice of Personnel Management
2. Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE workElon Musk
3. Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB directorRussell Vought

Money trail

1. payment$16.8 million to reinstate wrongly dismissed staff$16.82 million

   Estimated source

   Federal agencies

   Estimated recipient

   Reinstated employees and remediation work

   Financially affected

   Agency operations and taxpayers

Claims and evidence

1. estimateestimate

   PSI minority staff estimated $16,824,145.80 in reinstatement-related costs after agencies reversed DOGE-era probationary dismissals.

   • U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Minority Staff: The $21.7 Billion Blunder: Analyzing the Waste Generated by DOGEPassages and source records documenting: Senate minority staff estimated $16.8 million to reinstate wrongly dismissed staff
2. factdocumented

   Elon Musk was the Trump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work.

   • The White House: President Trump participates in a press conference with departing DOGE adviser Elon MuskAppointment or biography record identifying Elon Musk as Trump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work
3. factdocumented

   Russell Vought was the Trump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB director.

   • United States Senate: Roll Call Vote 37: Confirmation of Russell VoughtAppointment or biography record identifying Russell Vought as Trump-appointed OMB director and acting CFPB director