DOGE is dead
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has officially been dissolved, marking the end of a controversial initiative that aimed to streamline government operations under the leadership of Elon Musk. Launched early in President Donald Trump’s second term, DOGE was intended to cut costs and enhance efficiency within the federal government. However, the initiative quickly became synonymous with chaos, as it led to the termination of approximately 280,000 federal employees by April 2023, resulting in significant disruptions across multiple agencies. Despite Musk’s ambitious claims that DOGE would save the government $2 trillion, this figure was later revised down to a mere $150 billion, with actual savings falling far short of expectations. The initiative, originally scheduled to last until July 4, 2024, was effectively curtailed after Musk’s departure in May, following a public fallout with Trump, leaving the organization directionless.
Scott Kupor, director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), confirmed the dissolution of DOGE, stating that it “doesn’t exist” and has transitioned many of its functions to OPM. While Kupor acknowledged the end of DOGE as a centralized agency, he emphasized that the principles behind its formation—such as de-regulation and reducing waste—would continue to influence federal operations. This sentiment was echoed by Amy Gleason, DOGE’s acting administrator, whose LinkedIn still reflects her ongoing role, despite the organization’s collapse. The aftermath of DOGE’s dissolution highlights the challenges faced in attempting to overhaul government efficiency through aggressive staffing cuts and the complexities of implementing substantial reforms in federal structures.
The legacy of DOGE serves as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of drastic governmental restructuring without a clear and sustainable strategy. The initiative’s failure to deliver on its promises has left many former employees in limbo, with some even being asked to return to their positions. As the federal government grapples with the repercussions of this initiative, the focus will likely shift towards institutionalizing the principles of efficiency and reform in a more measured and effective manner, ensuring that the lessons learned from DOGE’s turbulent journey are not forgotten.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRpfTjFGer4
The
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
is no more. The initiative has been quietly dissolved since the
departure of de facto leader Elon Musk in May
, coming to an end over seven months earlier than scheduled.
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Reuters reports
that Office of Personnel Management (OPM) director Scott Kupor confirmed DOGE’s demise earlier this month, stating that it “doesn’t exist” and is no longer a “centralised agency.” Many of DOGE’s functions have instead been taken over by OPM, as per documents sighted by Reuters. OPM is the U.S. federal government’s human resources agency and personnel policy manager.
Kupor appeared to criticise Reuters’ article on X, while simultaneously confirming its veracity. DOGE as an organisation is indeed dead, though Kupor stressed that its “principles” continue to persist.
“The truth is: DOGE may not have centralized leadership under [the U.S. DOGE Service, previously known as the U.S. Digital Service],”
wrote Kupor.
“But, the principles of DOGE remain alive and well: de-regulation; eliminating fraud, waste and abuse; re-shaping the federal workforce; making efficiency a first-class citizen; etc. DOGE catalyzed these changes; the agencies along with [OPM] and [the White House Office of Management and Budget] will institutionalize them!”
White House official Amy Gleason was DOGE’s acting administrator
, technically holding the position even as Musk operated as its de facto head. As of writing, her LinkedIn page still lists her role at DOGE as ongoing.
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Officially launched
in one of the first acts of President Donald Trump’s second term, DOGE’s purported purpose was to increase government efficiency by cutting costs. This predominantly translated to cutting jobs, with DOGE
laying off approximately 280,000 federal workers
by April. Multiple government agencies were thrown into chaos, with some
shut down or dismantled entirely
.
Yet despite this turmoil, the widespread upheaval failed to reap the benefits promised. While Musk had claimed DOGE’s actions would save the U.S. government at least $2 trillion, by April he’d
revised this goal down to $150 billion
. Unfortunately, even this seems to have been an overshot, with DOGE’s actual savings
reportedly a mere fraction of this fraction
. Hundreds of fired federal employees have
since been asked to return.
DOGE was initially scheduled to conclude its work on July 4 next year, 18 months after its inception. However, DOGE’s activity stalled after Musk departed in May,
the billionaire leaving amidst a public falling out with Trump
. The organisation
fractured in the aftermath
, Musk’s departure apparently leaving DOGE’s staff of
recent college graduates
and
Musk loyalists
without unifying direction. Now it seems DOGE has finally dissolved entirely.
