In a candid conversation with an undercover OMG journalist, Nathaniel Johnson, Policy Advisor for the U.S. Department of Treasury, exposed a culture of inefficiency and resistance within the department.
“There’s a class of people in this country who care more about the money than they do about the country,” Johnson stated, accusing individuals within the system of self-interest.
His remarks came in response to Elon Musk’s push for mass layoffs through the Department of Government Efficiency, an initiative aimed at streamlining government operations and eliminating waste. Johnson, however, dismissed Musk’s efforts as purely profit-driven, asserting, “He’s showing what he really cares about is money. So, in theory, all he wants is more money.”
Yet, despite this claim, Johnson conceded that inefficiency is rampant within the Treasury. He acknowledged that many employees targeted for layoffs “don’t do their jobs” and even admitted, “I know a few of them.” Providing further insight, he elaborated, “There are people that I know who’ve been working for the government for, like, 40 years. And they don’t do much.”
Beyond the issue of job performance, Johnson exposed a culture of defiance among Treasury employees, revealing, “No one’s quitting because everyone’s dug in their feet.” His statement suggests an internal resistance to reform, with officials refusing to leave voluntarily despite inefficiencies in their work.
Concerns over Musk’s influence on government operations extended beyond employment policies, as Johnson expressed alarm about DOGE’s potential access to Treasury systems. He cited unspecified risks to national security, claiming, “No one knows what they [DOGE] want to do with the system.” Further attempting to cast Musk as a liability, Johnson warned that such access “creates a risk,” suggesting that Musk “probably shouldn’t have access” to sensitive information. He speculated that information could be “given to someone who they shouldn’t be giving it to… or they could give it to a foreign country.”
Despite these assertions, Johnson refused to go on record when OMG reached out for formal comment. “I’m going to have to decline to be named,” he responded. Even after being pressed to clarify his stance, he remained firm. In response, James O’Keefe asserted, “I am going to do this story, with or without your permission.” Johnson ultimately ended the conversation without providing further remarks.
