NEW: Karoline Leavitt confirms—DOGE is here to stay.

“Surely the mission of DOGE will continue.”

With Elon Musk stepping back, a reporter asked who would now lead the Department of Government Efficiency.

Leavitt made it clear: DOGE isn't going anywhere.

“The entire cabinet is involved and I spoke to the president about it this morning.”

“The entire cabinet understands the need to cut government waste, fraud and abuse, and each cabinet secretary at their respective agencies is committed to that.”

“That's why they were working hand in hand with Elon Musk and they'll continue to work with the respective DOGE employees who have onboarded as political appointees at all of these agencies.”

“So surely the mission of DOGE will continue, and many DOGE employees are now political appointees and employees of our government.”

“To the best of my knowledge, all of them intend to stay and continue this important work.”

When pressed on who would officially replace Musk as DOGE’s leader, she responded:

“The DOGE leaders are each and every member of the president's cabinet and the president himself, who is wholeheartedly committed to cutting waste, fraud and abuse from our government.”

According to Leavitt, Trump’s anti-waste crusade isn’t slowing down—it’s institutionalized.