What to know about DOGE and its quest to slash government waste, spending
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The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is a newly established committee that will be operational once the Trump administration takes office. The primary objective of DOGE is to reduce government waste and enhance transparency in government spending.
Although DOGE is not a part of the Cabinet, it is a blue-ribbon committee that will focus on examining issues related to government spending, efficiency, waste, and operations. The leaders of DOGE, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and Space X, and Vivek Ramaswamy, a tech entrepreneur, have set a target of cutting $2 trillion in government waste from the federal budget by reducing spending, eliminating programs, and reducing the federal workforce.
While DOGE does not possess official authority, it plans to collaborate closely with the Office of Management and Budget to implement reforms such as regulatory recissions, administrative reductions, and cost savings. Additionally, DOGE is expected to propose executive actions that President Trump can take to address government inefficiencies.
Several House Committees and caucuses have expressed their readiness to work with DOGE until its operations conclude on July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of Independence Day. These groups aim to work towards slashing government waste and ensuring accountability in government spending.
House Oversight Chair James Comer intends to establish a new subcommittee led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to oversee Delivering on Government Efficiency. This subcommittee will focus on investigating wasteful spending, reorganizing federal agencies for improved efficiency, and identifying ways to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles.
On the Senate side, GOP Sen. Joni Ernst will chair the Senate Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency Caucus, emphasizing the importance of cutting wasteful spending and holding the federal workforce accountable.
Historically, there have been similar efforts to reduce government spending, with varying levels of success. Notable initiatives include President Theodore Roosevelt’s Keep Commission, President William Howard Taft’s inquiry into government methods, President Bill Clinton’s NPR, and President Obama’s Campaign to Cut Government Waste.
DOGE is currently operating from office space leased by SpaceX in Washington, with key figures such as Steve Davis and Michael Kratsios leading the hiring process. The committee has already recruited around 10 individuals and is seeking software engineers and AI experts.
Key focus areas for DOGE include simplifying the tax code, auditing the Department of Defense, ensuring transparency in foreign aid, and returning NIH funds to taxpayers. With Musk and Ramaswamy at the helm, DOGE is expected to operate efficiently and meticulously, striving for maximum impact in government efficiency.
