White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to questions from reporters this week regarding Elon Musk’s role in the federal government, confirming that the entrepreneur holds a special designation as a government employee but declining to offer details about his security clearance.

The exchange came during a press briefing when CNN’s Kaitlan Collins inquired, “Can you confirm that Elon Musk is a special government employee? And what kind of security clearance does he have?”

Leavitt replied, “I can confirm he’s a special government employee. I can also confirm that he has abided by all applicable federal laws. As for his security clearance, I’m not sure, but I can check back with you.”

Collins followed up, asking if Musk had passed a background check, to which Leavitt again responded that she would look into it. When asked if anyone on Musk’s team had obtained a security clearance, the Press Secretary reiterated that she was unsure but would provide updates when available.

Musk, who leads several high-profile companies including SpaceX and Tesla, was appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a newly formed body aimed at identifying and reducing government waste. The department is structured uniquely, and Musk’s designation as a “special government employee” means he is not a full-time federal worker but is also more than a volunteer.

A recent report suggested that Musk may have received a top-secret security clearance, though this has not been confirmed by the White House or other official sources.

The appointment has sparked public interest not only because of Musk’s prominence in the private sector but also because of his involvement in several pressing national issues, including recent efforts to retrieve two stranded astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS).

The astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, have been in space since June of the previous year. Originally, their mission was only meant to last a week, but complications with the spacecraft they used for transport have kept them in orbit far longer than expected.

The pair launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner, which was on its first crewed flight. However, following several technical issues, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, NASA ruled that the Starliner was not safe for the return trip to Earth.

SpaceX, the aerospace company led by Musk, had been planning to assist in their return, and according to Musk, a direct request was made by President Donald Trump to expedite the process. Musk stated on his platform X (formerly Twitter), “The President has asked SpaceX to bring home the two astronauts stranded on the Space Station as soon as possible. We will do so.”

The SpaceX capsule assigned to the retrieval mission is already in orbit. However, NASA delayed the return plan because the next scheduled crew has not yet arrived at the ISS. NASA typically prefers a transition period where one crew overlaps with the other, ensuring a smooth handover. Therefore, Wilmore and Williams must wait until the incoming team arrives before they can depart.

SpaceX also delayed the launch of the replacement crew to perform additional checks and ensure all systems were fully operational.

Musk’s leadership of DOGE has generated both praise and concern. Supporters cite his track record in innovation and problem-solving, while critics question the qualifications of his team, some of whom are quite young.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently commented on this during a public forum, expressing skepticism about the experience level of DOGE personnel and suggesting they might not be prepared to oversee matters as complex as aviation safety. Leavitt, responding on behalf of the administration, maintained that all employees within DOGE are compliant with relevant laws and procedures.

Originally, Musk was appointed to head the department alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who has since stepped down to pursue a gubernatorial run in Ohio.

Despite the debates, DOGE has already begun audits of several federal departments, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Initial reports from the department claim to have found inefficiencies and spending irregularities, although specifics have not yet been made public.

Whether Musk’s leadership in government will lead to long-term policy changes or streamlined operations remains to be seen. For now, his dual role as a government advisor and private innovator continues to blur traditional boundaries, placing him at the center of a national conversation about public service, accountability, and innovation.

As Wilmore and Williams await their return to Earth, the collaboration between NASA and SpaceX stands as a tangible test of both public-private partnerships and the broader goals of improving government operations through nontraditional leadership.