Musk Is a Special Government Employee—What Is That?

Some noteworthy figures in the Trump administration fall under the category of special government employees. The most high-profile one is Elon Musk. The status of special government employee allows individuals to work for both the federal government and the private sector simultaneously. Those working as special government employees are limited to working up to 130 days per year unless the administration expressly extends that limit. Congress first passed legislation in the early 1960s to allow the executive branch to bring in outside experts without forcing them out of their private sector or academic positions. This has allowed experts in various sectors to serve on advisory boards or in specialized roles at the president’s request without giving up their careers, like regular government employees....