Politics
Elon Musk’s DOGE Movement: Fast-Tracking Cuts to Federal Agencies – What’s Being Affected?
By Jake Beardslee · February 15, 2025
How Elon Musk’s DOGE Is Reshaping Government: The Agencies and Policies on the Chopping Block
Since its formation under President Donald Trump, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been making waves by targeting federal agencies, restructuring government spending, and attracting high-profile figures from Silicon Valley. Initially co-led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the commission is now solely under Musk’s control, with an unclear but expanding scope. While some see it as a bold move toward eliminating waste, others warn of legal and ethical concerns. Here’s a breakdown of DOGE’s key actions and who is involved. The White House / Wikimedia
1. The Creation of DOGE: A Cost-Cutting Initiative
On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order forming DOGE, initially envisioned as a broad effort to cut regulations, reduce federal spending, and streamline government processes. Though its mission has been narrowed to modernizing federal technology systems, Musk’s involvement has given DOGE the freedom to target agencies beyond its stated purpose.Musk and Ramaswamy previously stated that DOGE would be staffed by "a lean team of small-government crusaders." While Musk initially claimed DOGE employees would be unpaid, recent reports suggest salaried positions are available in engineering, HR, IT, and finance. @VP / X
2. NASA Under Review
NASA, a longtime federal partner of Musk’s SpaceX, is currently under DOGE’s scrutiny. Acting Administrator Janet Petro confirmed that DOGE is "going to look—similarly to what they've done at other agencies—at our payments." NASA has worked extensively with SpaceX, awarding it around $14.5 billion in contracts, raising concerns about conflicts of interest. National Aeronautics and Space Administration / Wikimedia
3. Department of Education on the Brink of Shutdown
Trump has frequently expressed his desire to dismantle the Department of Education, calling it "a big con job." DOGE has already canceled contracts worth millions, including a $4.6M contract for coordinating meetings and a $3.0M contract for an unused report. The department has already lost $881 million in contracts, and Trump’s education secretary nominee, Linda McMahon, has been instructed to "put herself out of a job." Fry1989 / Wikimedia
4. Eliminating DEI Initiatives
DOGE terminated 104 government contracts related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) programs across 30 agencies, claiming over $1 billion in savings, according to Business Insider. The decision has sparked backlash, with critics arguing it undermines workplace equity efforts. hamonazaryan1 / Pixabay
5. Attempted Shutdown of USAID
Musk labeled USAID, the largest humanitarian aid provider in the world, a "criminal organization" and claimed he "spent the weekend feeding USAID into the wood chipper." Following these remarks, USAID employees were sent home, and the agency announced a global workforce reduction. However, legal challenges have temporarily halted these actions, with a federal judge blocking Trump’s attempt to shut the agency down without congressional approval. United States Agency for International Development / Wikimedia
6. Slashing the Federal Workforce
The Trump administration sent a buyout offer to nearly 2 million federal employees, allowing them to resign while receiving full salary and benefits through September. The move led to confusion and legal challenges but ultimately resulted in 75,000 workers accepting the offer. Additionally, thousands of probationary federal employees have been fired. White House / Wikimedia
7. FAA and Musk’s Influence in Aviation
After a fatal American Airlines crash outside of Washington, DC, Musk announced DOGE’s plans to "make rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system." While some, like Senator Ted Cruz, have praised Musk’s involvement, others warn of potential conflicts of interest, given the FAA's history of fining SpaceX for regulatory violations. @elonmusk / X
8. Treasury Department Access Raises Security Concerns
Trump granted Musk’s team "read-only" access to the Treasury Department’s digital payment system, which handles trillions of dollars in transactions, according to Reuters. While the administration argues it’s necessary for identifying waste, critics, including federal unions, have raised alarms about privacy risks and potential overreach. Carol M. Highsmith / Wikimedia
9. FEMA Faces Overhaul
Trump has called FEMA "very bureaucratic" and "a big disappointment." Musk accused the agency of misallocating funds, leading to the firing of four top officials. The situation remains fluid, with Trump hinting at restructuring or scrapping the agency entirely. PD-US / Wikimedia
10. Potential Privatization of NOAA
Democratic lawmakers claim DOGE is targeting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), aiming to merge it with the Department of the Interior. Critics argue this could weaken climate forecasting and disaster preparedness, making the public more reliant on private weather services. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration / Wikimedia
11. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Shutdown
Musk has been vocal about his disdain for the CFPB, which was established to protect consumers from predatory financial practices. On February 7, Musk posted "CFPB RIP" with a tombstone emoji. Following Trump’s orders, the agency has ceased most operations, and many employees have been laid off. Critics warn this will lead to increased financial fraud and predatory lending. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau / Wikimedia
Key Figures Driving DOGE’s Agenda
DOGE has attracted a mix of Trumpworld veterans and tech industry leaders:Steve Davis (President of The Boring Company) – Oversees DOGE’s daily operations.
Marc Andreessen (Cofounder of Andreessen Horowitz) – Conducts applicant interviews.
Shaun Maguire (Sequoia Capital partner) – Describes DOGE as "a cultural movement."
Chris Gober (Musk’s lawyer) – Handles legal challenges surrounding DOGE.
Katie Miller (Former DHS deputy press secretary) – DOGE communications staffer. Burkhard Mücke / Wikimedia
