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Pentagon Names Ex-DOGE Employee Gavin Kliger as Chief Data Officer to Lead AI Efforts

Canopy Policy
Pentagon building representing the appointment of ex-DOGE employee Gavin Kliger as Chief Data Officer to lead DoD AI efforts

The Pentagon on March 6, 2026 appointed Gavin Kliger — a computer scientist who previously worked for Elon Musk's DOGE initiative overhauling federal agencies — as its Chief Data Officer, tasking him with leading the Department of Defense's AI and data strategy. The appointment places a 25-year-old software engineer with no prior defense experience in charge of the Pentagon's data infrastructure at a moment when the DoD is simultaneously embroiled in the Anthropic supply chain risk dispute and ramping up its AI adoption agenda. Kliger had previously reposted white supremacist Nick Fuentes's content on social media, prompting immediate public scrutiny following the appointment announcement.

Key Takeaways

  • Gavin Kliger appointed Pentagon Chief Data Officer on March 6, 2026; previously worked for DOGE (Musk's government efficiency initiative) and has a computer science background — no prior defense experience
  • CDO appointment makes Kliger the lead for DoD AI and data strategy at a moment when the Pentagon has banned Anthropic Claude and is reshaping its AI vendor landscape
  • Kliger had previously reposted white supremacist Nick Fuentes's content on social media — reported by Reuters (Alexandra Alper); appointment drew immediate public and Congressional scrutiny

Original source: Reuters