Exploring the Rise of Doge: An Inside Look at Musk’s Strategic Job Cuts

A new advisory body created by U.S President Donald Trump, led by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, aims to cut US government jobs and spending dramatically.

Musk is heading this initiative to reduce the federal workforce and eliminate what he sees as wasteful taxpayer money. However, his Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) has faced legal obstacles, accusations of conflicts of interest, and fears that it could cause significant damage.

When explaining his actions to reporters in the Oval Office, Musk defended his plans and refuted Democratic rivals’ claims that he was conducting a “hostile takeover” of government. Polling indicates that cutting government spending has broad popular support.

What is Doge?

Doge, despite its full name, is not an official government department because such departments must be established by Congress through legislation. Instead, it came into existence via one of Trump’s executive orders and operates as a non-official advisory body with at least four employees dedicated to each federal agency.

Its Mission

A part of Doge’s mission includes IT upgrades aimed at boosting efficiency, which must be completed by July 2026. Many staff members appear to have backgrounds in technology and are young.

Musk’s Status

Is Elon Musk a government employee? Initially, he said he would volunteer his services outside the government but later the White House clarified that he was serving as an unpaid special federal worker.

This official designation applies to individuals who work for the government no more than 130 days in a year. To some supporters of this new body, Doge’s outsider statusalong with its somewhat vague mandateis believed to enhance its effectiveness.

Republicans’ Viewpoint

“They’re a little less bound by bureaucracy and the systems that slow things down here,” North Dakota Republican Senator Kevin Cramer told BBC. “I think the lack of defined parameters will make them effective.”

What Has Doge Done So Far?

Musk states that his mission is to save taxpayers’ money and reduce US national debt, which stands at $36tn (28.9tn). Initially he aspired to cut up to $2tn annually but later reduced this estimate.

His Goal

Musk wants to end what he terms the “tyranny of bureaucracy,” a fourth branch of government that, according to him, obstructs Trump’s agenda. Critics view his actions as driven by ideological motives rather than actual efficiency concerns.

“They won’t target agencies they support; instead, they’ll focus on those they disagree with,” Douglas Holtz-Eakin from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) told Reuters news agency.

Notable Actions

• Doge representatives entered various departments to monitor spending.
• Trump claims that Doge has identified “fraud and abuse” without providing evidence.
• Musk’s team alleged savings of over $1 billion from “woke” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) contracts during a war on such policies.
• Doge attempted to take control of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), set up after the 2007-2008 financial crisis but accused by Democrats of tampering with funds outside the president’s purview.

Public Perception and Legal Challenges

Critics argue that Musk oversteps his authority as an unelected official, highlighting potential conflicts of interest given the billions in government contracts held by his businesses. Multiple groups including unions and state attorneys general have sued Doge along with other parts of the Trump administration.

Judicial Interventions

The courts have intervened multiple times to halt cost-cutting moves, sometimes blocking Doge directly. For instance, a judge halted Doge’s access to personal data in US Treasury records once.

Musk Defends His Work

In conversations with reporters at the Oval Office, Musk expressed his expectation of scrutiny regarding his work. However, he maintained that Americans had voted for “common sense” government reform.

Experts’ Viewpoint

Elaine Kamark from the Brookings Institution told BBC that efforts to streamline government spending can be carried out but termed Musk’s plan to slash a third of government spending as unrealistic due to mandatory budget items like Social Security and Medicare constituting significant portions.