Trump appoints young tech veterans to lead federal HR agency

WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES — The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is set to transform under President Donald Trump’s administration with some unexpectedly young new hires taking top roles.
Gen Z leadership in federal government
According to Wired, a 21-year-old with claimed experience at Palantir has been appointed as senior advisor to Scott Kupor, Trump’s OPM director pick.
Additionally, a recent high school graduate will report directly to Chief of Staff Amanda Scales. This reflects a broader trend of youth in the administration, exemplified by 27-year-old Karoline Leavitt becoming the youngest White House press secretary.
Tech industry ties
The new appointments reveal strong connections to Elon Musk’s business empire. Scales brings experience from xAI, while the high school graduate previously worked at Neuralink during a summer position. This tech-industry influence extends beyond OPM, with Steve Davis, Musk’s former X executive, potentially advising on government efficiency initiatives.
Federal HR agency transformation
The agency is undergoing changes in its work culture, as evidenced by a recent memo titled “Fork in the Road.” The document echoes Musk’s management style, emphasizing high-intensity performance and offering buyout options to current employees.
The memo states that “the federal workforce should be comprised of employees who are reliable, loyal, trustworthy, and who strive for excellence in their daily work”.
These appointments are part of a larger reorganization that has affected at least 240 government employees, aligning with the administration’s goal to streamline federal bureaucracy through the newly established Department of Government Efficiency Services.
The transformation represents a departure from traditional government hiring practices, bringing Silicon Valley’s fast-paced culture to federal administration.