A Senate investigation revealed at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) caucus found that just 6% of federal employees consistently work in person, drawing sharp criticism from lawmakers and DOGE leaders.
The report, led by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), painted a grim picture of Washington, D.C., where federal offices average only 12% occupancy. “If federal employees can’t be found at their desks, exactly where are they?” Ernst questioned, emphasizing the disconnect between remote work policies and public service demands.
Elon Musk, co-chair of DOGE, blasted the findings on social media, stating, “Almost no one shows up to work full-time.” He highlighted how absenteeism undermines productivity and accountability.
The investigation also uncovered widespread misuse of locality pay. Many teleworking employees were found inflating their salaries by claiming pay rates for office locations where they no longer work. Ernst’s audit revealed cases of employees living thousands of miles away while collecting higher wages.
House Speaker Mike Johnson called the situation “absurd,” pledging to work with the Trump administration to bring federal workers back to their offices. “This is a priority for us in Congress,” Johnson stated.
As DOGE leaders push for reforms, public frustration with government inefficiencies continues to grow. Advocates for change argue that restoring in-person work is essential for improving federal accountability and service delivery.
