Charles Ezell
Before the Trump inauguration, Charles Ezell’s title was Branch Chief for OPM’s Data & Analytics division located in Macon, GA. Through circumstances currently unknown, he was named the new Acting Director for the agency on January 20th. Since then, he has used his position to be the quintessential enabler, providing cover (and sometimes firepower) to ensure the DOGE is able to get its way within the agency. Ths included such work as immediately replacing the CIO with Greg Hogan or issuing directives asking for data on probationary workers or other data calls with ridiculously tight deadlines. At some times, even Ezell seemed like he was caught flat-footed by DOGE’s plans, including the confusing rollouts for the “Fork in the Road” or the “Five Things” emails. He also has wildly overstated the control that OPM has over federal hiring and firing.
He certainly has done the most work for DOGE of any acting administrator. Perhaps this is why he was still in the role months later, with nominee Scott Kupor not being confirmed by the Senate until July 9th.
Positions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| OPM |
Sources
|
Systems
| System | Notes |
|---|---|
|
website
|
Source
This is a stand-in for whatever website platform an agency is using unknown access «listed as grant for “Web Admin” on 1/20. Not revoked as of 2/12» |
|
STAMP
|
Source
This is a system at OPM that I do not have information about yet unknown access |
Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
|
1/20/25
|
Source
Access
IT staff at OPM are pulled into a “911-esque call” requesting that “a political team” of 6 individuals must be given access to OPM systems. These include Charles Ezell, Greg Hogan, and Amanda Scales, as well as unidentified employees OPM-03 (Akash Bobba), OPM-05 (Gavin Kliger) and OPM-07 (Brian Bjelde). These DOGE staffers are granted administrative access to USAJOBS, USA Staffing, and USA Performance systems.
|
|
1/20/25
|
Source
Disruption
Acting OPM Director Charles Ezell replaces existing CIO Melvin Brown with DOGE ally Greg Hogan, who will serve as the Acting CIO.
|
|
1/27/25
|
Source
Access
Charles Ezell sends an email to OPM IT staff stating that OPM-02 (Riccardo Biasini), OPM-04 (Edward Coristine), and OPM-06 (Nikhil Rajpal) “urgently” need access to several sensitive systems within the agency.
|
|
1/31/25
|
Source
Disruption
Federal employees at OPM report they are locked out of access to key systems by DOGE and OPM leadership.
|
|
2/12/25
|
Source
Directory
In a FOIA request, Democracy Forward names DOGE staff known to be at OPM at that time.
Akash Bobba, Amanda Scales, Anthony Armstrong, Austin Raynor, Brian Bjelde, Bryanne-Michelle Mlodzianowski, Charles Ezell, Christina Hanna, Edward Coristine, Gavin Kliger, Greg Hogan, Jacob Altik, Joanna Wischer, Justin Monroe, Nikhil Rajpal, Noah Peters, Riccardo Biasini, Stephanie Holmes, Stephen Duarte
|
|
3/24/25
|
Source
Legal
Ruling in American Federation of Teachers et al v. Bessent et al, Judge Boardman issues a preliminary injunction against access by DOGE staff to internal systems at OPM by DOGE. However, he still allows access for DOGE-affiliated leadership at the agency including Charles Ezell, Amanda Scales and Greg Hogan.
|
|
7/09/25
|
Source
Onboard
Scott Kupor is confirmed by the Senate to be the new Director of OPM, replacing Charles Ezell who had been serving in an acting capacity since January 20th.
|