Department of Government Efficiency

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) , }} is an initiative of the second Trump administration. It emerged from discussions between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, and was established by executive order on January 20, 2025, with the purpose of "modernizing federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency". Its actions include accessing government data systems; organizing mass layoffs; and cutting climate change initiatives, scientific research, and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs. DOGE has targeted federal agencies, among them the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Musk's role within DOGE is unclear. The White House has denied, in media and in courts, that Musk is running DOGE and that he is making government decisions; it asserted that he was only senior advisor to the president. Trump insists that Musk is the head of DOGE, and courts have declared that he must be its ''de facto'' leader. Formerly known as the U.S. Digital Service, "USDS" now abbreviates U.S. DOGE Service and comprises the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization (USDSTO), scheduled to be dissolved on July 4, 2026, the country's 250th anniversary. The active administrator of USDS and USDSTO is said to be Amy Gleason, not Musk.

DOGE is controversial and has met with opposition and lawsuits. A federal judge found that Musk's role likely violates the Appointments Clause, and legal experts have warned of a constitutional crisis. Democratic Party members challenged DOGE's authority, with some calling its actions a "coup". Musk did not divest from companies that are receiving billions in government contracts and are clashing with federal regulators DOGE is trying to slash, creating potential for conflicts of interest. Musk has promised transparency while Trump has tried to exempt DOGE from public disclosure rules. The White House has said that DOGE complies with federal law, and that Musk would "excuse himself" if DOGE activities and his business interests conflicted.

Musk has stated a goal of cutting $1 trillion, or about 15% of the budget. DOGE has claimed to have saved $130 billion, as of March 24, 2025. Independent analysis has found that DOGE's reports misaccounted tens of billions of dollars, with more than a third of canceled contracts already obligated or yielding no savings. Musk, DOGE, and the Trump administration have made multiple claims of having discovered significant fraud, none of which have held up under scrutiny. According to watchdogs, DOGE is redefining fraud to target federal employees and programs to build political support for their cuts; former Republican budget experts said DOGE cuts were driven by political ideology more than frugality. Despite widespread criticism, Trump has reiterated his support for Musk and DOGE. Provided by Wikipedia