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NASA acting head asks staff to take ‘inspiration’ from DOGE efforts as lawmakers cite Musk’s conflict of interest.

CNNI -- In a Friday afternoon email to NASA staff, the agency’s acting chief asked employees to embrace the philosophy of Elon Musk’s Dept of Govt Efficiency, or DOGE, as workers express concern over recent directives and anti-diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) communications.

In her email, NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro said she acknowledges recent executive orders and directives — which include sweeping changes to federal hiring practices and guidance to abandon projects that promote diversity — are “weighing on many of you” and encourages workers to seek support. The mail, a copy of which was obtained by CNN, also asks workers at federal agency to take “some inspiration from the spirit of the ‘Dept of Govt Efficiency,’” which is helmed by Musk — who as SpaceX CEO is a federal NASA contractor —& “lean into this new opportunity to maximize efficiencies.”