Department of Government Efficiency

From USApedia

Stored: Department of Government Efficiency

Department of Government Efficiency
Type: Executive Departments
Parent organization: United States DOGE Service
Top organization: United States DOGE Service
Employees:
Executive: Administrator
Budget:
Address:
Website: https://www.doge.gov/
Creation Legislation: Executive Order by President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025
Wikipedia: Department of Government EfficiencyWikipedia Logo.png
Department of Government Efficiency
This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)
Mission
DOGE aims to modernize federal tech, cut waste and fraud, slash regulations, and boost efficiency by dismantling bureaucracy and restructuring agencies.
Services

Government spending oversight; Regulatory review; Workforce optimization

Regulations

Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is not a traditional Cabinet-level department but a temporary contracted government organization under the United States DOGE Service, formerly known as the United States Digital Service. Its aim is to streamline and increase the efficiency of government operations by modernizing technology, cutting unnecessary spending, and reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies. DOGE is led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy and is set to conclude its mission by July 4, 2026.

The Department of Government Efficiency[lower-alpha 1] (DOGE[lower-alpha 2]) refers to a planned United States presidential advisory commission announced by Donald Trump, the president-elect of the United States, in preparation for his second term as U.S. president. It will be led by the billionaire businessman Elon Musk and the entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Despite its name, DOGE is not intended to function as a federal executive department, the creation of which would require the approval of the U.S. Congress, instead, it will serve as an advisory body aiming to streamline the U.S. federal government and reduce inefficiency.[2]

DOGE is a backronym referencing Doge, an Internet meme.[3]

Official Site

Mission

The Department of Government Efficiency's mission is to modernize federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity. By implementing these changes, DOGE aims to reduce wasteful and fraudulent federal spending, eliminate excessive regulations, and restructure federal agencies to make government operations more transparent and cost-effective.[4]

Parent organization

DOGE operates under the United States DOGE Service, which was formerly known as the United States Digital Service and part of the Executive Office of the President. This organization is tasked with driving the President's agenda for government efficiency.[5]

Legislation

DOGE was created through an executive order by President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025.[6]

Partners

  • Various federal agencies for collaboration on efficiency projects
  • Private sector entities for technology and process innovation[7]

Number of employees

The number of employees for DOGE is not publicly detailed. However, each agency is required to establish a DOGE Team of at least four employees.[8]

Organization structure

DOGE functions as an advisory body rather than a traditional department with formal divisions. It includes:

  • DOGE Teams within various federal agencies to implement efficiency measures.[9]

Leader

The organization is led by an Administrator, with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy appointed as co-leaders.

Divisions

DOGE does not have traditional divisions but operates through teams embedded in different agencies.

List of programs

  • Software Modernization Initiative
  • Workforce Optimization Initiative[10]

Last total enacted budget

The budget details for DOGE are not publicly specified.

Staff

Staff details for DOGE are not comprehensively available, but each agency must set up a DOGE Team.

Funding

DOGE's funding mechanism is not detailed, but it's implied through executive actions and potentially through existing agency budgets.

Services provided

DOGE provides oversight on government spending, conducts regulatory reviews, and implements workforce optimization to streamline federal operations. It seeks to identify and eliminate inefficiencies across federal agencies.[11]

Headquarters address

The headquarters address for DOGE is not publicly disclosed.

History

DOGE was initiated during the second Trump administration as part of an effort to reduce the size of government and federal spending. It was established by executive order on January 20, 2025, with the goal of concluding its mission by July 4, 2026, as a 250th birthday present to the country.[12]

Conception

The concept of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) emerged in a discussion between Elon Musk and Donald Trump, where Musk floated the idea of a department for streamlining government efficiency. Later, the suggestion was made by Trump of establishing such a department and for it to be headed by Musk.[13][14]

Musk has suggested that the commission could help to cut the U.S. federal budget by up to US$2 trillion through measures such as reducing waste, abolishing redundant agencies, and downsizing the federal workforce. Ramaswamy also stated that DOGE may eliminate entire federal agencies and reduce the number of federal employees by as much as 75%.[15][16] Musk has also proposed consolidating the number of federal agencies from more than 400 to fewer than 100.[17]

Musk has described deregulation as the only path to the SpaceX Mars colonization program, and promised he will "get the government off people's back and out of their pocket".[18]

Functions

Despite the name, it will not be a federal executive department, which is created through an act of Congress, and is to be an advisory body operating outside of government.[19] According to CBS News, it may operate under the Federal Advisory Committee Act.[20]

Vox said that the body is "unlikely to have any regulatory teeth on its own, but there's little doubt that it can have influence on the incoming administration and how it will determine its budgets".[21]

Donald Trump said the body would help to "dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures and restructure federal agencies". He also stated that Musk and Ramaswamy will work with the Office of Management and Budget to address what he called "massive waste and fraud" in government spending.[22]

Plans to create a new congressional subcommittee were announced on November 21, 2024 by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky.[23] The new House Oversight Subcommittee will be called the Delivering on Government Efficiency Subcommittee.[24] The subcommittee will be chaired by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-GA.[25][26] The Delivering on Government Efficiency Subcommittee will work closely with the DOGE to reduce governmental expenditures.[27]

History

AI-generated advertisements for DOGE posted on X by Ramaswamy and Musk

In August 2024, Trump said at a campaign event that, if he were elected, he would be open to giving Musk an advisory role.[28] In response, Musk wrote a post on X saying "I am willing to serve", along with an AI-created image of him standing in front of a lectern marked "Department of Government Efficiency".[3]

Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, stated that, prior to the official announcement of the creation of DOGE, Elon Musk had called Federico Sturzenegger, Argentina's Minister of Deregulation and Transformation of the State, to discuss imitating his ministry's model in the United States.[29] The idea of a DOGE has been linked to Trump's campaign promises to cut federal spending and reduce the size of government and the size of the federal fiscal deficit.[30] Musk has suggested that the former U.S. representative and presidential candidate Ron Paul could work with DOGE.[31][32]

On November 20, The Washington Post reported that DOGE had discussed development of a free tax filling mobile app.[33]

Leadership

Template:Multiple images

On November 12, 2024, Trump announced his intention to form a Department of Government Efficiency under the leadership of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.[34] Trump stated that the entity's work will "conclude" no later than July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence,[35] also coinciding with America's semiquincentennial celebrations and a proposed "Great American Fair".[36] Trump called the proposed results of DOGE "the perfect gift to America".

On November 14, DOGE asked for CVs[clarification needed] of high IQ people willing to work 80 hours a week.[37]

On November 21, it was reported that Marjorie Taylor Greene was tapped to chair the committee.[38]

Reception

File:2023 US Federal Budget Infographic.png
An infographic on outlays and revenues in the 2023 U.S. federal budget

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, the largest American bank, has supported the idea of creating DOGE to improve government competency.[39]

On October 28, 2024, at a Trump rally in Madison Square Garden, Musk stated his belief that DOGE could remove US$2 trillion from the U.S. federal budget.[40] Musk has not specified whether these savings would be made over a single year or a longer period.[41] Maya MacGuineas of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has said that this saving is "absolutely doable" over a period of 10 years, but it would be difficult to do in a single year "without compromising some of the fundamental objectives of the government that are widely agreed upon".[42]

Questions have been raised whether Musk and Ramaswamy's companies being contractors to the federal government causes a conflict of interest with their proposed work in DOGE.[43][44]

The committee has been seen as potentially redundant to the Government Accountability Office.[45]

See also

References

  1. https://www.voanews.com/a/department-of-government-efficiency-faces-a-daunting-task/7868816.html
  2. "What is DOGE? Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency led by Musk and Ramaswamy" (in en). 2024-11-14. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/elon-musk-ramaswamy-trump-cabinet-doge-b2647323.html. 
  3. Jump up to: 3.0 3.1 Cameron, Hugh (2024-08-20). "Elon Musk 'Willing to Serve' in Trump Cabinet". Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/elon-musk-donald-trump-cabinet-position-offer-meme-1941624. 
  4. Trump, Donald. "Establishing And Implementing The President's 'Department Of Government Efficiency'". The White House, https://www.whitehouse.gov/ (accessed February 13, 2025).
  5. Wikipedia. "Department of Government Efficiency". Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Government_Efficiency (accessed February 13, 2025).
  6. Trump, Donald. "Establishing And Implementing The President's 'Department Of Government Efficiency'". The White House, https://www.whitehouse.gov/ (accessed February 13, 2025).
  7. Posts found on X, describing current sentiment or platform-specific queries related to DOGE's partnerships.
  8. Trump, Donald. "Implementing The President's 'Department of Government Efficiency' Workforce Optimization Initiative". The White House, https://www.whitehouse.gov/ (accessed February 13, 2025).
  9. Trump, Donald. "Implementing The President's 'Department of Government Efficiency' Workforce Optimization Initiative". The White House, https://www.whitehouse.gov/ (accessed February 13, 2025).
  10. Trump, Donald. "Implementing The President's 'Department of Government Efficiency' Workforce Optimization Initiative". The White House, https://www.whitehouse.gov/ (accessed February 13, 2025).
  11. Trump, Donald. "Establishing And Implementing The President's 'Department Of Government Efficiency'". The White House, https://www.whitehouse.gov/ (accessed February 13, 2025).
  12. Trump, Donald. "Establishing And Implementing The President's 'Department Of Government Efficiency'". The White House, https://www.whitehouse.gov/ (accessed February 13, 2025).
  13. "Elon Musk's 'DOGE' gov meme sends political speculation soaring". https://cointelegraph.com/news/elon-musk-cryptocurrency-doge-gov-meme-trump-political-speculation-soaring. 
  14. Napolitano, Decrypt / Liz (2024-11-17). "Elon Musk and DOGE: What You Need to Know About the Department of Government Efficiency" (in en-US). https://decrypt.co/291957/elon-musk-and-doge-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-department-of-government-efficiency. 
  15. "Trump's meme-ified 'efficiency' 'department' is equal parts cockamamie and conflict" (in en). 2024-11-13. https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/reidout-blog/department-government-efficiency-doge-gift-vivek-ramaswamy-elon-musk-rcna179976. 
  16. Nelken-Zitser, Joshua. "DOGE wants to 'delete' entire federal agencies, Vivek Ramaswamy says" (in en-US). https://www.businessinsider.com/vivek-ramaswamy-doge-wants-to-delete-entire-federal-agencies-2024-11. 
  17. "What to know about Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy - CBS News" (in en-US). 2024-11-14. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-department-of-government-efficiency-doge-elon-musk-ramaswamy/. 
  18. Template:Unbulleted list citebundle
  19. Dwoskin, Elizabeth (2024-11-12). "Trump taps Musk, Ramaswamy to oversee 'drastic' changes to U.S. government". Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/11/12/elon-musk-trump-doge-vivek-ramaswamy/. "In his announcement, Trump proposed the creation of an advisory body, operating outside government. Though it has the word "department" in its name, it would not be a government department — those are created by congressional authorization." 
  20. Picchi, Aimee (2024-11-14). "What to know about Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy - CBS News" (in en-US). https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-department-of-government-efficiency-doge-elon-musk-ramaswamy/. 
  21. Fayyad, Abdallah (2024-11-13). "Trump tapped Musk to co-lead the "Department of Government Efficiency." What the heck is that?" (in en-US). https://www.vox.com/policy/384904/trumps-department-of-government-efficiency-sounds-like-a-joke-it-isnt. 
  22. Faguy, Ana; FitzGerald, James (2024-11-13). "Donald Trump picks Elon Musk for US government cost-cutting role" (in en-GB). BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c93qwn8p0l0o. 
  23. "House Oversight Committee says it plans to form a subcommittee for Trump's 'Department of Government Efficiency'" (in en). 2024-11-21. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-oversight-committee-says-plans-form-subcommittee-trumps-departme-rcna181154. 
  24. Reporter, Martha McHardy US News (2024-11-22). "Marjorie Taylor Greene lays out DOGE plan to fire government employees" (in en). https://www.newsweek.com/marjorie-taylor-greene-doge-subcommittee-trump-1990001. 
  25. "Elon Musk's budget crusade could cause a constitutional clash in Trump's second term" (in en). 2024-11-21. https://apnews.com/article/musk-ramaswamy-trump-budget-cuts-doge-impoundment-8e2fffc27df6acc1b275b1614e66fd01#. 
  26. Reuters (November 21, 2024). "Marjorie Taylor Greene to work with Musk's new government efficiency panel". https://www.reuters.com/world/us/marjorie-taylor-greene-work-with-musks-new-government-efficiency-panel-2024-11-21/. 
  27. Carney, Jordain (November 21, 2024). "House Oversight plans new subcommittee to coordinate with DOGE efforts". https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/11/21/congress/new-house-doge-subcommittee-00190855. 
  28. Shepardson, David (August 20, 2024). "Trump says he may end EV tax credit; is open to naming Elon Musk as an adviser". Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-he-would-consider-ending-7500-electric-vehicle-credit-2024-08-19/. 
  29. "Milei brindó un nuevo apoyo a Sturzenegger y afirmó que Elon Musk imitará su gestión en EEUU" (in es-ES). November 8, 2024. https://www.infobae.com/economia/2024/11/08/milei-brindo-un-nuevo-apoyo-a-sturzenegger-y-afirmo-que-elon-musk-imitara-su-gestion-en-eeuu/. 
  30. Template:Unbulleted list citebundle
  31. "Ron Paul vows to join Elon Musk, help eliminate government waste in a Trump admin". November 5, 2024. https://thehill.com/video/ron-paul-vows-to-join-elon-musk-help-eliminate-government-waste-in-a-trump-admin/10191375. 
  32. Healy, Patricia. "Elon Musk puts spotlight on ... Department of Government Efficiency? | Cumberland Comment" (in en-US). https://usatoday.com/story/business/2024/10/28/patricia-healy-elon-musk-highlights-need-for-government-efficiency/75798556007. 
  33. "Bad day for tax software companies". https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/19/24300971/bad-day-for-tax-software-companies. 
  34. Beech, Eric (November 12, 2024). "Trump says Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy will lead the Department of Government Efficiency". https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy-will-lead-department-government-efficiency-2024-11-13/. 
  35. Nazzaro, Miranda (November 13, 2024). "Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to lead Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)" (in en-US). https://thehill.com/policy/4987402-trump-musk-advisory-group-spending/. 
  36. Henderson, O. Kay (November 7, 2024). "Trump's 'Great American Fair' idea on Iowa State Fairgrounds recirculates" (in en-US). https://www.radioiowa.com/2024/11/07/trumps-great-american-fair-idea-on-iowa-state-fairgrounds-recirculates/. 
  37. Goodwin, Grace Eliza. "Elon Musk is hiring for DOGE. Here's what he's looking for." (in en-US). https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-doge-hiring-staff-how-to-apply-2024-11. 
  38. "Marjorie Taylor Greene Will Lead New ‘DOGE’ Panel on Government Efficiency". New York Times. 21 November 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/21/us/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-doge-elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy.html. 
  39. Bharade, Aditi (September 25, 2024). "Jamie Dimon says he likes Elon Musk's idea to start a DOGE, or Department of Government Efficiency". Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/jamie-dimon-likes-musks-department-of-government-efficiency-idea-2024-9. 
  40. "WATCH LIVE: Trump holds campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York" (in en) (video). PBS NewsHour. October 28, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/live/HysDMs2a-iM?si=92I5LD1FY2PAsSuG&t=15822. 
  41. Chu, Ben (2024-11-13). "Can Elon Musk cut $2 trillion from US government spending?" (in en-GB). https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdj38mekdkgo. 
  42. Folley, Aris (2024-11-03). "Elon Musk draws skepticism with call for $2 trillion in spending cuts" (in en-US). https://thehill.com/business/4966789-elon-musk-skepticism-2-trillion-spending-cuts/. 
  43. Lipton, Eric; Fahrenthold, David A.; Krolik, Aaron; Grind, Kirsten. "U.S. Agencies Fund, and Fight With, Elon Musk. A Trump Presidency Could Give Him Power Over Them.". https://nytimes.com/2024/10/20/us/politics/elon-musk-federal-agencies-contracts.html. 
  44. "Donald Trump picks Elon Musk to lead government's new 'cost-cutting' department". https://www.itv.com/news/2024-11-13/trump-picks-elon-musk-to-lead-new-cost-cutting-department. 
  45. Hetzner, Christiaan. "Elon Musk pledges 'maximum transparency' in new DOGE role, complete with suggestion box and leaderboard for worst examples of government waste" (in en). https://fortune.com/2024/11/13/elon-musk-doge-tesla-government-efficiency-donald-trump-white-house/. 

External links

Social media

References


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