DOGE reps launch meetings with federal staffers in effort to cut government waste: report

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are taking on a new challenge as they start interviewing federal government staffers for the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This blue-ribbon committee, separate from the federal government, aims to tackle issues related to government spending, waste, efficiency, and operations.

With representatives from DOGE engaging with staffers from various federal agencies such as the Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service, Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services, the committee is gearing up to suggest executive actions for the Trump administration and collaborate with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to implement reforms.

The ultimate goal of DOGE is to slash $2 trillion from the federal government budget by reducing spending, cutting down on government programs, and streamlining the federal workforce. However, Musk recently expressed skepticism about achieving this ambitious target and suggested that aiming for $1 trillion might be more realistic.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have shown support for DOGE, with the creation of the Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus by Reps. Aaron Bean and Pete Sessions. This bipartisan effort aims to address the growing national debt, which has surpassed $36 trillion, and work towards fiscal responsibility.

Sen. Joni Ernst is set to oversee the Senate DOGE Caucus, emphasizing the importance of eliminating waste and inefficiency in government operations. With a staff of around 50 people currently working from SpaceX’s offices in Washington, D.C., DOGE plans to double its workforce once President-elect Trump takes office on Jan. 20.

DOGE’s impact is not limited to the federal level, as it has inspired similar initiatives at the state level. For instance, Gov. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire recently launched the Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE) to enhance taxpayer savings and improve government services.

As DOGE continues to make strides in promoting government efficiency, its efforts are expected to have a significant impact on fiscal responsibility and accountability in the public sector. With Musk and Ramaswamy at the helm, the committee is poised to bring about meaningful reforms that benefit both the government and the American people.