What is DOGE and its mission to reduce government waste and spending?

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) aims to reduce government waste and enhance transparency in spending once the Trump administration takes office.

The DOGE is not a government department but a committee that will investigate government spending, waste, efficiency, and operations.

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, leaders of the DOGE movement, propose that the federal government can save $2 trillion by cutting spending, eliminating programs, and reducing the workforce.

The commission, despite lacking official power, has vowed to collaborate closely with the Office of Management and Budget in streamlining regulatory cuts, administrative reductions, and cost savings.

DOGE will likely propose executive actions that may be implemented by President Trump, in addition to maintaining a collaborative relationship with certain government departments.

Numerous House committees and caucuses have declared their intention to cooperate with DOGE until it shuts down on July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, with the objective of reducing government waste.

The national debt has exceeded $36 trillion, which should serve as a warning to all Americans, according to House Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.). To prevent a financial disaster, action must be taken. President-elect Trump has appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead DOGE, but they will need support to tackle "Crazy Town."

"The Department of Government Efficiency will collaborate with our DOGE Caucus to curb excessive spending and prevent the misuse of taxpayer funds."

James Comer, House Oversight Chair, plans to create a new subcommittee led by Marjorie Taylor Greene to oversee government efficiency. The subcommittee will investigate wasteful spending, coordinate with the Department of Government Efficiency, and explore ways to reorganize federal agencies for improved efficiency. Additionally, the subcommittee will seek to eliminate bureaucratic "red tape."

Comer posted on X in December, advocating for cutting red tape, holding the unchecked federal workforce accountable, ensuring program efficiency, and collaborating with @DOGE to combat waste, fraud, and abuse.

On the Senate side, Joni Ernst, a Republican senator, will lead the Senate Caucus for Outstanding Government Efficiency.

I was elected by Iowans to cut Washington's wasteful spending," Ernst stated regarding the DOGE efforts. "Through my decade-long investigations, I have uncovered levels of corruption that are almost too unbelievable, including billion-dollar boondoggles, welfare for politicians, and trillion-dollar slush funds.

"The Senate DOGE Caucus is set to carry out critical oversight in Congress and use its legislative power to combat the entrenched bureaucracy, cut waste, and get Washington back to working for Americans, as President Trump, Elon Musk, and Vivek Ramaswamy prepare to take action."

Numerous instances of government-led initiatives to reduce unnecessary expenditures and personnel exist in American history, with varying levels of success and less ambitious objectives.

In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt established the Keep Commission with the goal of improving government efficiency through modern business practices. This commission is considered the first systematic examination of federal administrative issues.

In 1910, Congress allocated $100,000 to President William Howard Taft to investigate the efficiency of government operations and suggest changes in law.

The NPR, led by Vice President Al Gore, was launched by President Bill Clinton's administration with the objective of improving the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and performance of the federal government.

Gore stated that certain government agencies will be transformed into smaller, more streamlined organizations that will resemble private companies. These organizations will have a CEO on contract to reduce expenses and will have more freedom in adhering to government regulations.

In June 2011, President Obama signed an executive order creating the Campaign to Cut Government Waste, which established an 11-member Oversight and Accountability Board with a mission to provide taxpayers with the same ability to track their dollars and have confidence that they are not being wasted, fraudulently, or abusively, not just for Recovery Act funds, but more broadly.

According to sources, Steve Davis, president of Boring Co., Musk's tunneling operation, and Michael Kratsios, former US chief technology officer, are among those conducting interviews for potential DOGE employees.

DOGE has reportedly hired around 10 individuals and is currently seeking software engineers and individuals with expertise in artificial intelligence. Some notable figures believed to be involved in supporting DOGE include Palantir co-founder and investor Joe Lonsdale, investor Marc Andreessen, hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, and former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick.

SpaceX, a Musk-owned company, leases glass-walled office space in Washington for DOGE, which is located about four blocks away from the White House.

Musk and Ramaswamy have previously stated that some other key areas where DOGE hopes to make progress include simplifying the U.S. tax code, auditing the Department of Defense, returning National Institutes of Health money to taxpayers, and promoting foreign aid transparency.

James Fishback, a Ramaswamy confidant and co-founder of investment firm Azoria Partners, stated that he anticipates DOGE to operate in 'founder mode' - characterized by being lean, decisive, and led by two exceptional individuals, Vivek and Elon, who are highly focused on every detail.