Trump’s DOGE office wraps up 8 months before scheduled
The Department of Government Efficiency, an initiative launched by US President Donald Trump aimed at reducing government spending, has ceased operations eight months prior to the conclusion of its mandate, according to a report. The office, which was inaugurated with significant fanfare, is now no longer functioning as an independent entity. Scott Kupor confirmed the development in an interview, stating “That doesn’t exist,” when asked about DOGE’s current status, and adding that it was no longer a “centralised entity.” The Department of Government Efficiency was established by Executive Order 14158 on January 20, 2025, with a mission to modernize federal operations, reduce unnecessary spending, and streamline government processes. The concept emerged from conversations between Donald Trump and Elon Musk in 2024, with the unit presented as a technology-focused initiative aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing costs in Washington, and Musk was designated as a “special government employee” for 180 days with commitments to reduce federal spending by $2 trillion and “end the tyranny of bureaucracy.”
Vivek Ramaswamy was enlisted to help lead the effort but resigned early to pursue a run for governor of Ohio, leaving Musk as the prominent figure during DOGE’s peak activity. DOGE faced criticism from Democrats, who argued that the agency was overstepping its bounds by attempting to reduce budgets already approved by Congress, while Musk attracted resistance not only from Democrats but also from segments of the Republican base. Many conservatives were uncomfortable with aggressive budget cuts and the lack of clear oversight. Musk’s involvement also frustrated Tesla investors, with several major shareholders including pension funds arguing he was overly preoccupied with government responsibilities, blaming his divided focus for Tesla’s 71 per cent decline in quarterly profits and 13 per cent fall in sales. The “Tesla Takedown,” a consumer movement calling for a boycott of Tesla vehicles in response to Musk’s political actions and DOGE-related cuts, gained momentum across the US and Europe, even as Musk admitted at a May 1 press conference that DOGE had failed to meet its $1 trillion savings target and cited internal government resistance and political constraints for deeper cuts stalling.
Established in January, DOGE initially acted aggressively to diminish federal agencies, cut budgets, and realign priorities to match Trump’s agenda, but over time many of its responsibilities were absorbed by OPM, as per note. Two DOGE officials have since moved to the National Design Studio, created by an executive order signed in August and led by Joe Gebbia, Airbnb co-founder, who has been tasked with improving the design of government websites. Gebbia previously collaborated with Musk on DOGE, and another team member publicly endorsed the new initiative on X. DOGE’s quiet closure stands in stark contrast to its earlier high-profile promotion, when Trump, senior advisers, and cabinet officials frequently discussed it online, and Musk regularly showcased DOGE’s activities on X, once famously holding up a chainsaw at a Conservative Political Action Conference event in Maryland and calling it “the chainsaw for bureaucracy.” Several senior DOGE members have since transitioned to other federal roles, with Gebbia leading the government’s website redesign and already launching pages focused on recruitment, law enforcement, and Trump’s drug pricing plan.
Musk had previously declared his intention to “delete the mountain” of federal regulations, with DOGE focusing on minimizing regulations, eliminating jobs, and using AI to modernize government systems, while the administration continues to pursue regulatory reductions. Scott Langmack, DOGE’s former representative at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is now working on AI tools designed to analyze and identify regulations that could be removed. Meanwhile, Musk recently made a notable appearance in Washington, attending a White House dinner honoring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The dissolution of DOGE, once positioned as a centerpiece of Trump’s efficiency agenda, raises questions about the feasibility of large-scale bureaucratic reform, the political tensions surrounding aggressive cost-cutting, and Musk’s ability to balance high-level government roles with shareholder expectations at Tesla.
