Visual evidence obtained by WIRED reveals that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) left behind piles of children’s toys and used mattresses at the General Services Administration (GSA) headquarters following a leadership transition in May. The remnants, located on the sixth floor of the agency’s federal offices, provide a stark look at the unconventional living and working conditions established during DOGE’s aggressive overhaul of government operations.
The Aftermath: A Scene of Abrupt Departure
Photographs show a wooden kitchen set, a rainbow climbing arch, and an easel cluttered with crumpled paper sitting abandoned near former DOGE workspaces. The scene resembles a rapid evacuation, with white plastic bins organizing books and playthings while trash bags filled with pillows and five mattresses—some still covered in sheets and toppers—occupy a corner of the office. This domestic clutter marks the conclusion of a chapter where Musk’s lieutenants treated federal real estate as a primary residence.
Musk’s Inner Circle and the GSA Occupation
The presence of nursery items stems from the leadership of Steve Davis and Nicole Hollander, two longtime Musk associates who previously lived in X’s San Francisco headquarters with their newborn. Following President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, DOGE seized control of key agencies, including the GSA and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Davis and Hollander, along with former Tesla engineer Thomas Shedd, secured high-level access to the GSA’s Technology Transformation Services division.
The “A-suite” access also extended to a group of young technologists, including former Neuralink intern Edward Coristine and Harvard student Ethan Shaotran. This cohort transformed the GSA’s sixth floor into a restricted zone, complete with keycard readers, security guards, and a culture of young men in casual attire navigating the halls of the federal government.
Institutional Denial and Leadership Shifts
Despite the visible transformation of the office, GSA leadership initially attempted to mask DOGE’s presence. In March, acting administrator Stephen Ehikian—whose wife previously worked as a designer for Musk’s X—denied the existence of a DOGE team during an all-hands meeting. This claim left career GSA employees in disbelief, as they had already witnessed the installation of secure areas and the influx of unauthorized personnel.
A New Era of Oversight
The operational tide shifted in May as Musk, Davis, and Hollander retreated from their roles. An internal memo confirms that Michael Rigas, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, has been appointed as the new acting administrator of the GSA. This move effectively sidelines Ehikian, who had been a staunch supporter of the DOGE agenda during his tenure.
DOGE’s Persistent Shadow in Federal Agencies
While the high-profile leadership has stepped back, DOGE’s influence remains embedded within the federal bureaucracy. Sources confirm that DOGE associates Nate Cavanaugh and Justin Fox have been seen in the GSA offices in recent weeks. The entity continues to lead projects and manage contracts, suggesting that while the mattresses and toys have been left behind, the structural changes enacted by the group persist throughout the government.
