What is DOGE?
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Trump was established via an executive order. It is meant to be a temporary organization expiring on July 4th, 2026.
Despite its name, DOGE is not a Cabinet-level department but operates under the same authority as the former United States Digital Service (USDS) within the Executive Office of the President. USDS has been rebranded to the United States DOGE Service (USDS). The primary mission of DOGE is to focus on regulatory changes, administrative reductions through technology modernization, and cost savings.
The Executive Order requires agency heads to designate teams of at least four employees within 30 days to join “DOGE teams” under the oversight of the U.S. Digital Service (USDS). These teams will typically include a team lead, an engineer, a human resources specialist, and an attorney.
Additionally, under the direction of Elon Musk, DOGE is looking to terminate contracts that do not align with President Trump’s priorities.
Elon Musk leads DOGE, and he reports to the White House Chief of Staff. They have the ambitious goal of reducing federal spending by up to $2 trillion. To date, the organization has initiated significant actions, including the apparent shutting down of agencies, terminating programs, and accessing sensitive government data. For instance, in one of their highest profile actions, DOGE has declared that they closed the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and canceled funding for various other programs.
These actions have sparked considerable controversy and legal challenges. Critics argue that DOGE’s measures lack transparency, proper planning, and oversight, potentially undermining essential services and disrupting the balance of power between governmental branches. Concerns have also been raised about DOGE’s access to sensitive data, with experts warning that such actions could compromise financial stability and personal privacy.
Supporters, including some Republican lawmakers, defend DOGE’s initiatives as necessary steps to eliminate government waste and enhance efficiency. They argue that the organization’s efforts are within the executive branch’s authority and aim to ensure proper use of taxpayer dollars.
As of now, DOGE continues to implement its agenda, with plans to target larger government programs, including healthcare and military spending, in its pursuit of identifying and eliminating inefficiencies.
DOGE News Feed
The following are curated articles about DOGE and their impact on government employees, agencies and contractors.
February 10, 2025
Justice Department seeks to stop order keeping DOGE out of Treasury systems (Washington Post) – Paywall
The Trump administration is pushing to end a court order that prohibits the U.S. DOGE Service from accessing the Treasury Department’s personal and financial data.
The Musk Deputy Running DOGE’s Huge Cost-Cutting Drive (Wall Street Journal) – Paywall
Steve Davis is a force at DOGE, which has adopted Elon Musk’s move-fast-and-break-things approach