Trump’s DOGE Disbanded Ahead of Schedule
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), created under former US President Donald Trump to reduce the size of the federal government, has been disbanded with eight months remaining on its mandate. Critics say the initiative, launched with fanfare, produced few measurable savings, Reuters reports.
Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor told Reuters that DOGE no longer exists as a centralised entity, marking the first public confirmation of its closure. The OPM has since absorbed many of DOGE’s functions.
Original Mission and Public Profile
Established in January, DOGE initially sought to rapidly shrink federal agencies, cut budgets and shift work to Trump priorities. Some former DOGE employees have joined the National Design Studio, a body set up by executive order in August and headed by Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia, tasked with improving government websites.
DOGE’s public profile contrasted with its eventual fading. Trump, his advisers and cabinet secretaries frequently promoted the unit on social media. Elon Musk, who led DOGE initially, often highlighted its work and at one event brandished a chainsaw to symbolise job cuts, calling it a «chainsaw for bureaucracy».
Results and Criticism
While DOGE claimed to have cut tens of billions of dollars in expenditure, the lack of detailed public records meant these figures could not be independently verified. A White House spokeswoman said Trump continued to deliver on his mandate to reduce waste and inefficiency.
Trump administration officials had not openly stated DOGE was dissolved, even after Musk left Washington following a public disagreement with Trump in May. Acting DOGE Administrator Amy Gleason has moved to advise the Health and Human Services Secretary while remaining formally linked to DOGE.
Former Staff Move to New Roles
The government-wide hiring freeze championed by DOGE has ended. Kupor noted that agencies are no longer bound by hiring reduction targets. Many former DOGE staff have assumed other administration roles. Gebbia’s design studio has launched websites to recruit law enforcement and promote Trump initiatives, while other former employees now hold senior positions at the Departments of Health and Human Services, the Office of Naval Research and the State Department.
DOGE’s original mission included reducing federal regulations and applying AI to streamline government processes. The administration continues to pursue regulatory cuts, with former DOGE officials developing AI tools to review existing rules. Musk has returned to Washington, attending recent events including a White House dinner for Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
