Here is a look at the legal questions arising from Musk's activities as he seeks to shrink the federal bureaucracy. WHAT IS MUSK'S ROLE? The White House says Musk is a special government employee, meaning he does not get paid and is only allowed to work 130 days or fewer in a year.

The SGE designation, which has come under scrutiny under Democrats as well, exempts short-term federal employees from certain disclosure rules.