In early 2025, a group informally known as "Doge" began operating within the General Services Administration (GSA) headquarters in Washington, D.C., marking a significant departure from traditional federal agency staffing and culture. The group, closely aligned with Elon Musk, occupied the sixth floor of the GSA building—an office space adjacent to the White House that dates back to 1917—and quickly transformed it into a secure and insular environment.

Unlike standard government personnel rosters, Doge had no official employee list, and nearly all individuals involved served as temporary "special government employees," a classification subject to minimal vetting. Those affiliated with Doge typically shared characteristics of youth, a distinctive dress code favoring all-black attire and trainers, and a strong personal loyalty to Musk. While some members viewed their involvement as a stepping stone to higher government positions, many were deeply committed to Musk’s leadership, with one insider characterizing the devotion as near-religious admiration.

This cohort contrasted sharply with the traditional conservative figures in the Trump administration, such as Russell Vought, former director of the Office of Management and Budget, whose fiscal conservatism was grounded in long-standing policy objectives. In comparison, the Doge members reportedly lacked an understanding of the rationale behind existing bureaucratic structures, instead focusing on dismantling established procedures without clear justification.

At its peak, the group included approximately 100 individuals, but an informal hierarchy was maintained through membership in a private Signal chat used for strategic discussions and physical access to the sixth floor. The Doge team implemented heightened security measures, installing additional key-card checkpoints, restricting elevator access, and stationing armed guards to control movement within the floor.

Their presence was marked by a degree of informality and unorthodox behavior that drew mixed reactions from other GSA employees. According to accounts, Doge members brought in flat-pack furniture and converted several rooms into makeshift dormitories and meeting areas. One anecdote described an incident in which a Doge member, freshly showered and wrapped in a towel, shared an elevator ride to the sixth floor—a scenario that underscored the group's unconventional approach to federal workspace norms.

The emergence of Doge within the GSA illustrates a departure from established government protocols, highlighting a culture centered on loyalty to Musk and a willingness to bypass traditional bureaucratic safeguards in favor of rapid and aggressive management choices.