US President Donald Trump has signed an order to create a structure in the country to improve government efficiency, led by his supporter, billionaire Elon Musk.
“This is an order to improve government efficiency“, explained a presidential aide before signing the document.
Journalists asked Trump if Musk would get a place in the West Wing of the White House, where the Oval Office and the offices of some of the president's closest aides and advisers are located.
„No, he will get a 20-person apparatus that is hired to ensure that all this is implemented“, the American leader replied. He explained that in the United States „there is a problem when the decrees are not implemented within six months“.
The US President was asked if Musk would help implement the decrees.
„No, Elon is very busy sending launch vehicles to different places with many satellites on board“, Trump replied.
The main task of the new structure will be to reduce government spending and modernize federal software to private sector standards. As the television channel NBC News specifies, despite the name, the structure will not be a full-fledged ministry within the government, like the Pentagon or the State Department. The creation of such an agency requires congressional approval. The new body will remain outside the government structure.
Earlier, Trump said that the structure "will provide guidance and advice from outside, collaborating with the White House to implement large-scale structural reforms". Immediately after the announcement of the creation of the new body, several labor, human rights and public organizations filed a lawsuit alleging violation of the law.