DOGE cancels more than 200,000 federal government credit cards
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has made significant strides in its mission to root out waste, fraud, and corruption in the federal government. In a recent announcement, the agency revealed that it has deactivated more than 200,000 credit cards linked to over a dozen federal agencies after an audit showed that they were unused or unneeded.
The audit, which was part of a pilot program involving 16 agencies, uncovered a staggering number of inactive credit cards. At the start of the audit, there were more than 4.6 million active cards/accounts across these agencies. Over the course of three weeks, DOGE was able to deactivate 204,801 credit cards, including 171,120 travel cards and 33,681 purchase cards. This represents a significant step towards reducing unnecessary spending and saving taxpayer dollars.
The agencies affected by the credit card cancellations include the General Services Administration, the Office of Personnel Management, the Labor Department, the Small Business Administration, the Education Department, the Interior Department, the Treasury Department, the Commerce Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Agriculture Department, NASA, the Department of Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, the Social Security Department, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Interior Department and HHS saw the largest number of credit card terminations, with thousands of cards canceled in each department.
The announcement comes as DOGE continues to carry out its mandate to find savings and reduce the national debt. Elon Musk, who leads the agency, has set a goal of finding $1 trillion in savings through DOGE to help address the country’s mounting debt. Musk has emphasized the importance of DOGE in reforming the U.S. economy, describing it as a central component of the government’s efforts to improve efficiency and accountability.
In addition to the credit card deactivations, DOGE has also uncovered concerning cases of improper lending practices. The agency identified thousands of loans totaling over $300 million that were granted to children by the Small Business Administration. These loans were issued to borrowers who were 11 years old or younger at the time of the loan, raising questions about the oversight and accountability of the lending process.
Overall, DOGE’s efforts to eliminate waste and inefficiency in the federal government are making a significant impact. By deactivating unused credit cards and uncovering questionable lending practices, the agency is taking concrete steps to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and effectively. As DOGE continues its work, it is poised to make further strides in promoting transparency, accountability, and efficiency in government operations.
