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Department of Government Efficiency

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"D.O.G.E" redirects here. For other uses, see Doge (disambiguation).

Department of Government Efficiency
AbbreviationDOGE
FormationAnnounced on November 12, 2024; yet to be established
Key people
This article is part of
a series about
Elon Musk
Personal
Companies
In popular culture
Second presidency of Trump
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Elon Musk's signature

The Department of Government Efficiency[a] (DOGE[b]) 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 billionaire businessmen Elon Musk and 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]

Conception

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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.[4][5]

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%.[6][7] Musk has also proposed consolidating the number of federal agencies from more than 400 to fewer than 100.[8]

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".[9]

Functions

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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.[10] According to CBS News, it may operate under the Federal Advisory Committee Act.[11]

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".[12]

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.[13]

History

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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.[14] 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.[15] 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.[16] Musk has suggested that the former U.S. representative and presidential candidate Ron Paul could work with DOGE.[17][18]

On November 19, The Washington Post reported that DOGE had discussed development of a free tax filling mobile app.[19] On the same day, representatives Aaron Bean and Pete Sessions launched the Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency Caucus to support the DOGE mission.[20] On November 22, 2024, senator Joni Ernst was appointed to lead the corresponding Senate DOGE Caucus.[21][22]

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

Leadership

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Trump selected Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to serve as DOGE's leadership.

On November 12, 2024, Trump announced his intention to form a Department of Government Efficiency under the leadership of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.[28] 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,[29] also coinciding with America's semiquincentennial celebrations and a proposed "Great American Fair".[30] 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.[31]

Reception

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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.[32]

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.[33] Musk has not specified whether these savings would be made over a single year or a longer period.[34] 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".[35]

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.[36][37]

The committee has been seen as potentially redundant to the Government Accountability Office.[38]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Also referred to as Government Efficiency Commission[citation needed]
  2. ^ pronounced /doʊdʒ/ DOHJ[1]

References

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  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". The Independent. November 14, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Cameron, Hugh (August 20, 2024). "Elon Musk 'Willing to Serve' in Trump Cabinet". Newsweek. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  4. ^ "Elon Musk's 'DOGE' gov meme sends political speculation soaring". cointelegraph.
  5. ^ Napolitano, Decrypt / Liz (November 17, 2024). "Elon Musk and DOGE: What You Need to Know About the Department of Government Efficiency". Decrypt. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  6. ^ "Trump's meme-ified 'efficiency' 'department' is equal parts cockamamie and conflict". MSNBC.com. November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  7. ^ Nelken-Zitser, Joshua. "DOGE wants to 'delete' entire federal agencies, Vivek Ramaswamy says". Business Insider. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  8. ^ "What to know about Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. November 14, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  9. ^
  10. ^ Dwoskin, Elizabeth (November 12, 2024). "Trump taps Musk, Ramaswamy to oversee 'drastic' changes to U.S. government". Washington Post. Retrieved November 12, 2024. 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.
  11. ^ Picchi, Aimee (November 14, 2024). "What to know about Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  12. ^ Fayyad, Abdallah (November 13, 2024). "Trump tapped Musk to co-lead the "Department of Government Efficiency." What the heck is that?". Vox. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  13. ^ Faguy, Ana; FitzGerald, James (November 13, 2024). "Donald Trump picks Elon Musk for US government cost-cutting role". BBC News. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  14. ^ Shepardson, David (August 20, 2024). "Trump says he may end EV tax credit; is open to naming Elon Musk as an adviser". Reuters.
  15. ^ "Milei brindó un nuevo apoyo a Sturzenegger y afirmó que Elon Musk imitará su gestión en EEUU". infobae (in European Spanish). November 8, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  16. ^
  17. ^ "Ron Paul vows to join Elon Musk, help eliminate government waste in a Trump admin". The Hill. November 5, 2024.
  18. ^ Healy, Patricia. "Elon Musk puts spotlight on ... Department of Government Efficiency? | Cumberland Comment". USA TODAY. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  19. ^ Stein, Jeff (November 19, 2024). "Musk's 'DOGE' commission eyes new app for Americans to file taxes". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  20. ^ "Congressmen Aaron Bean and Pete Sessions Launch DOGE Caucus | Representative Bean". bean.house.gov. November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  21. ^ Tully-McManus, Katherine (November 22, 2024). "Ernst to head new Senate DOGE Caucus". Politico. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  22. ^ "Ernst Creates Senate DOGE Caucus to Eliminate Government Waste | U.S. Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa". www.ernst.senate.gov. November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  23. ^ "House Oversight Committee says it plans to form a subcommittee for Trump's 'Department of Government Efficiency'". NBC News. November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  24. ^ Reporter, Martha McHardy US News (November 22, 2024). "Marjorie Taylor Greene lays out DOGE plan to fire government employees". Newsweek. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  25. ^ "Elon Musk's budget crusade could cause a constitutional clash in Trump's second term". AP News. November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  26. ^ "Marjorie Taylor Greene to work with Musk's new government efficiency panel". Reuters. November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ^ Carney, Jordain (November 21, 2024). "House Oversight plans new subcommittee to coordinate with DOGE efforts". Politico. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  28. ^ Beech, Eric (November 12, 2024). "Trump says Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy will lead the Department of Government Efficiency". Reuters.
  29. ^ Nazzaro, Miranda (November 13, 2024). "Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to lead Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)". The Hill. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  30. ^ Henderson, O. Kay (November 7, 2024). "Trump's 'Great American Fair' idea on Iowa State Fairgrounds recirculates". Radio Iowa. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  31. ^ Goodwin, Grace Eliza. "Elon Musk is hiring for DOGE. Here's what he's looking for". Business Insider. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  32. ^ 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. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  33. ^ "WATCH LIVE: Trump holds campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York" (video). youtube.com. PBS NewsHour. October 28, 2024.
  34. ^ Chu, Ben (November 13, 2024). "Can Elon Musk cut $2 trillion from US government spending?". BBC News. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  35. ^ Folley, Aris (November 3, 2024). "Elon Musk draws skepticism with call for $2 trillion in spending cuts". The Hill. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  36. ^ 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".
  37. ^ "Donald Trump picks Elon Musk to lead government's new 'cost-cutting' department". itv.
  38. ^ Hetzner, Christiaan. "Elon Musk pledges 'maximum transparency' in new DOGE role, complete with suggestion box and leaderboard for worst examples of government waste". Fortune. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
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