Since returning to the White House, President Donald Trump has wasted no time deploying his newly minted Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to slash federal spending. With Elon Musk at the helm as a “special government employee,” DOGE has already taken a sledgehammer to several federal agencies, shaking up Washington and fueling intense political debate.
On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order establishing DOGE, tasking it with eliminating government waste and reining in taxpayer spending. Musk and his team have moved at lightning speed, targeting agencies across multiple sectors, from defense to education and even NASA. Here’s a breakdown of who’s in DOGE’s crosshairs so far.
Department of Defense: The Pentagon Under Scrutiny
The largest and most expensive arm of the U.S. government, the Department of Defense (DoD), is now under DOGE’s microscope. With an $800 billion budget, Trump believes there are “hundreds of billions of dollars” in waste and fraud waiting to be uncovered—especially within the troubled U.S. shipbuilding sector.
DOGE staffers have already been seen collecting lists of probationary employees at the Pentagon, sparking speculation that mass terminations are imminent.
IRS: Musk’s Team Seeks Unprecedented Access to Taxpayer Data
DOGE has also set its sights on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), with reports suggesting Musk’s team is pushing for access to the agency’s highly sensitive tax databases. Lawmakers have raised alarms over potential misuse of this data, with some calling it an attempt to “weaponize government databases” against political opponents and businesses.
NIH: Major Medical Research Cuts Incoming?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has already felt the impact of Musk’s efficiency drive. A new 15% cap on “indirect costs”—covering personnel, equipment, and facility maintenance—was introduced, aiming to save $4 billion annually. However, legal battles are now underway after a federal judge issued a temporary halt on these cuts.
Additionally, over 1,100 NIH employees have been laid off as part of the sweeping federal workforce reductions.
Federal Worker Layoffs: Thousands Out of a Job
The Trump administration has executed mass layoffs across various agencies, including the Forest Service, CDC, Department of Education, and more. Probationary employees—those with less than two years on the job—have been the first to go, with thousands reportedly already terminated.
Medicare & Medicaid: “Big Money Fraud” in Musk’s Crosshairs
Musk has publicly stated that Medicare and Medicaid are “where the big money fraud is happening.” DOGE has begun investigating spending at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), with lawmakers warning that Musk’s involvement could “pose immeasurable risks to Americans’ health care.”
NASA: Musk Auditing His Own Contracts?
NASA is another agency under review by DOGE. With SpaceX holding over $14.5 billion in contracts with the space agency, critics argue that Musk auditing NASA’s finances could present a serious conflict of interest.
Department of Education: The Beginning of the End?
Trump has long called for the complete dismantling of the Department of Education, branding it a “big con job.” DOGE has already canceled contracts worth over $881 million, and the future of the department remains uncertain.
DEI Initiatives: A Billion-Dollar Purge
In one of its first moves, DOGE axed 104 contracts related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programs across 30 agencies, claiming to have saved over $1 billion.
USAID: Musk’s “Wood Chipper” for Foreign Aid
Musk has vowed to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), calling it a “criminal organization.” Within days, thousands of employees were placed on leave, sparking lawsuits and congressional intervention to keep the agency afloat—at least temporarily.
Federal Worker Buyouts: 75,000 Employees Take the Deal
DOGE offered a “deferred resignation” buyout to two million federal workers, paying full salaries and benefits through September in exchange for their resignation. While 75,000 employees accepted the offer, the controversial move faced multiple legal challenges before ultimately proceeding.
FAA: Musk’s “Rapid Safety Upgrades” After Deadly Crash
Following a fatal American Airlines crash in Washington, D.C., Musk announced DOGE would be spearheading rapid FAA safety upgrades. However, concerns have emerged over potential conflicts of interest given Musk’s aerospace ventures.
Treasury Department: “Read-Only” Access or a Power Grab?
Trump granted Musk’s team access to the Treasury Department’s digital payments system, controlling trillions in government transactions. Officials insist the access is “read-only,” but watchdogs are investigating whether the move oversteps legal boundaries.
FEMA: Disaster Relief on the Chopping Block?
Trump has suggested FEMA may be overhauled or even eliminated, calling it “bureaucratic” and “very slow.” After Musk accused FEMA of misallocating disaster funds, multiple agency officials were fired.
NOAA: Breaking Up the Weather Agency?
Lawmakers claim DOGE is attempting to dismantle the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), responsible for weather forecasting and climate research. There are concerns that privatizing NOAA’s functions could jeopardize crucial weather services for farmers and businesses.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: “RIP CFPB”
Musk has made it clear he wants the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) gone. DOGE has shut down most of its operations, leading to staff terminations and a legal battle over the agency’s future. Critics warn this move could turn consumer finance into “the wild, wild west.”
What’s Next?
With DOGE’s aggressive cost-cutting measures showing no signs of slowing down, the federal government may be on the verge of its most radical restructuring in decades. As lawsuits pile up and opposition grows, Musk and Trump remain unwavering in their mission to slash spending and reshape Washington’s power structure.
