The Launch of the Department of Government Efficiency

On Monday, President Donald Trump resumed his duties by signing an executive order to establish the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE. This initiative, championed by notable figures Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, is designed to enhance the efficiency of government operations, particularly through the modernization of IT systems. Trump's initial announcement regarding DOGE in November highlighted the administration's ambition to receive external advice aimed at reducing excessive regulations, eliminating wasteful spending, and reorganizing federal agencies.

Interestingly, Trump's executive order specifies that DOGE will be part of the executive branch rather than functioning solely as an advisory entity. The order has rebranded an existing office, the U.S. Digital Service, to become the U.S. DOGE Service. The mission of DOGE, according to the executive order, is to execute the President's agenda, focusing on improving federal technology and software to foster governmental efficiency. Despite the absence of explicit references to spending reductions, the executive order does not rule out those priorities as part of DOGE's comprehensive mission.

As DOGE progresses, it faces several lawsuits that question its previous operations as a federal advisory committee, reportedly violating the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), which mandates transparency and public engagement. The recent executive order aims to clarify DOGE's status, but legal representatives from Democracy Forward expressed skepticism, asserting that DOGE's previous actions were already problematic and that the new order does not resolve those issues.

Meanwhile, Ramaswamy, who co-led the initiative, announced his departure from DOGE to pursue a gubernatorial campaign in Ohio. Despite this leadership change, Trump's executive order designates DOGE as a temporary body, tasked with fulfilling an 18-month agenda, set to conclude by July 4, 2026. The executive order outlines that approximately 20 people will be involved in DOGE's operations, while the U.S. Digital Service continues to operate with around 230 staff members, reportedly delivering significant cost savings in federal operations such as improving the IRS and Social Security Administration services.