The Trump administration has disbanded the Department of Government Efficiency, a controversial team of federal cost-cutters previously led by Elon Musk. This action was taken despite several months remaining in the unit’s official mandate. Reports confirmed that DOGE had broken up, ending a months-long effort by Musk and his associates to reduce alleged fraud and waste and to cut employees across the federal government. Many of these associates were recruited from his various private-sector companies.
The department was created by an executive order signed by President Trump in January. The initiative was originally expected to run for close to two years. However, as of early November, a director confirmed that DOGE no longer exists. In a subsequent statement, he noted that while DOGE may no longer have centralized leadership, its core principles remain active. These principles include de-regulation, eliminating fraud and abuse, reshaping the federal workforce, and making efficiency a priority.
While it was active, DOGE claimed to have saved the federal government billions of dollars in wasted taxpayer money. However, critics, including lawmakers, argued that the department dismantled federal programs and government departments with little to show in quantifiable savings. The cuts implemented by DOGE have also been blamed for countless deaths across the world following the shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development. That agency was responsible for providing critical humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
Additionally, DOGE accessed federal databases containing highly sensitive personal information belonging to millions of Americans. The department was accused of significant security lapses that put this data at risk from malicious adversaries. Elon Musk himself departed DOGE earlier this year after a public falling out with President Trump.
According to recent reports, several DOGE staffers are now said to be fearful that they could face future federal charges. They are concerned about lacking protections from Musk, who might have previously been able to secure presidential pardons for them if it became necessary. Some of these staffers are now working for other federal government departments, while other prominent members have stated they no longer work for the government.