The newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has made a swift impact by cutting $1 billion in DEIA-related contracts across 24 federal agencies in its first 10 days. This includes major reductions at agencies like Education, Labor, Defense, and the EPA. DOGE’s actions are in line with President Trump’s Executive Order on Government Efficiency, aiming to streamline federal operations and eliminate wasteful spending.
DOGE, which replaced the U.S. Digital Service, focuses on cutting inefficient programs and reducing politically driven initiatives. Among the largest cuts were nearly $500 million from the Office of Personnel Management and $110 million from the Department of Agriculture. The department is committed to continuing this effort over the next 18 months, overseeing further cuts and reforms.
In addition to the contract terminations, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) placed 60 employees focused on DEI policies on administrative leave, signaling a shift toward prioritizing care and benefits for veterans over divisive initiatives. This reflects a broader trend of refocusing federal agencies on their core missions.
Elon Musk, appointed as DOGE’s administrator, leads the charge in modernizing federal technology and improving efficiency. The department, named after the Dogecoin cryptocurrency, is designed to eliminate redundancies and streamline government operations for greater productivity and value to taxpayers.