Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has made significant inroads into the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), an agency pivotal for the resources Musk needs for his various business ventures, as reported by The Verge.
According to a public directory titled “Finding People at the FCC,” three individuals have been identified as DOGE staff members: Tarak Makecha, Jordan Wick, and Jacob Altik. All are listed with email addresses associated with the agency, under the office “OCH,” which in other agency documents refers to the Office of the Chairman.
Makecha, a finance executive, has a background at a drone detection software company and previously worked at Tesla. Reports suggest he has been involved through DOGE at both OPM and the State Department. Wick, a former Waymo engineer, has reportedly gained access to systems at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Altik is a lawyer with reported involvement at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Are you a current or former US federal government worker? Reach out securely and anonymously with tips from a non-work device to Lauren Feiner via Signal at laurenfeiner.64.
DOGE has recently expanded its reach into other enforcement agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission, as previously reported by The Verge. The FCC’s regulatory authority over radio, TV, broadband, and satellite intersects with Musk’s businesses, such as granting certain permissions for SpaceX’s Starlink operations. The FCC’s role as a regulator and enforcer also entails managing information on SpaceX and its competitors to inform decision-making. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has previously stated that Musk would need to recuse himself from potential conflicts of interest. The FCC has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the role of DOGE staffers at the agency or any restrictions on their data access.
