The White House has launched the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE), a tech-focused initiative led by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, promising to modernize federal systems and slash inefficiency.
As detailed in The New York Times, DOGE is poised to be a hallmark of President Trump’s second term, targeting up to $2 trillion in cost savings by 2026.
DOGE builds on the United States Digital Service, now rebranded as the U.S. DOGE Service. According to Trump's executive order, the newly rebranded department will cut red tape and streamline government IT systems. Per the EO, DOGE has roughly 18 months (July 4, 2026) to achieve the administration's goal.
Each federal agency will establish a "DOGE Team" of experts, working under Musk’s tech-first guidance to reimagine government operations. These teams are comprised of at least four members: An engineer, an HR specialist, a lawyer, and a team lead.
Per the Times, a cohort of unpaid Silicon Valley elites and tech executives recruited by Musk and Ramaswamy are key to the effort. These high-profile recruits, some connected to Peter Thiel, will be embedded in agencies for six-month stints, offering their expertise for free. According to the Times, this includes a mix of Thiel Fellows, engineers, and policy specialists, all united by their loyalty to Musk’s vision.
Musk has pitched this as a bold chance to fix a "dysfunctional" government. But critics have doubts. Budget experts question the feasibility of cutting trillions without touching programs like Social Security, which Trump has vowed to protect. Even Musk has tempered expectations, recently calling $1 trillion in savings a more realistic goal.
DOGE was also initially meant to, ironically, be co-lead by Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. However, Ramaswamy may not be in the position for long, according to NBC News. It's rumored that he will quit to focus fully on his run for Ohio governor, a campaign he's expected to announce sometime in the next week.