ELON MUSK: "The reason I am putting so much effort into this is that I think it is a very dire situation"

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to highlight his aggressive cuts to the federal bureaucracy during his address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, offering praise for tech billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Trump has granted Musk and his DOGE team sweeping authority, resulting in the rapid dismantling of entire government agencies and the firing of tens of thousands of federal employees in just six weeks. The unprecedented power given to DOGE has raised concerns among lawmakers, who worry about potential conflicts of interest between the initiative’s decisions and Musk’s business empire, which includes Tesla, SpaceX, and social media platform X.

What Is DOGE?

Established by an executive order on Trump’s first day in office, January 20, DOGE was designed to “modernize federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.”

Despite its name, DOGE is not an official government department created by Congress but a temporary entity operating under the White House. It took over the existing U.S. Digital Service and appears to report directly to Trump, with few oversight mechanisms in place.

Initially focused on technology upgrades, DOGE’s mission has since expanded dramatically, with its small team—composed largely of current and former employees of Musk’s companies—conducting sweeping budget and staffing cuts across federal agencies. Most team members are young software engineers with little or no prior government experience.

Musk, officially designated as a “special government employee,” does not draw a salary. However, his exact role within DOGE remains unclear, with the White House offering only vague explanations of his responsibilities. Amid legal challenges questioning who is in charge of the cost-cutting unit, the White House named former healthcare executive Amy Gleason as acting administrator.

Musk has publicly stated that his goal is to cut $1 trillion in federal spending, in a year when the government’s budget is expected to reach $7 trillion.

Has DOGE Saved Money?

DOGE claims to have saved U.S. taxpayers $105 billion as of March 2, citing workforce reductions, asset sales, and canceled contracts. However, the exact savings remain difficult to verify, and the initiative has faced scrutiny over inconsistent and erroneous financial reporting.

The DOGE website—the primary source of information on its operations—has repeatedly removed some of its biggest savings claims. One major reported cut, originally listed as an $8 billion contract cancellation, was later revealed to be a mere $8 million adjustment. Musk has acknowledged errors and said DOGE will correct mistakes when identified.

What Has DOGE Done?

DOGE’s aggressive cost-cutting measures have shaken federal agencies, with 20 departments already affected. Its staff has gained access to government computer systems containing personal data on millions of federal employees and U.S. citizens.

Last month, DOGE sent a mass buyout offer to federal workers through the Office of Personnel Management, leading to approximately 75,000 voluntary departures. At least 25,000 additional employees—starting with those on probationary status, who have fewer job protections—have been terminated or received layoff notices.

Trump has since issued an executive order requiring federal agencies to submit plans for “large-scale reductions” in workforce numbers by March 13.

In response, federal employee unions have filed over two dozen lawsuits challenging the mass layoffs and broader restructuring efforts. While some legal battles have resulted in temporary injunctions—such as a court order barring DOGE from accessing sensitive data at the U.S. Department of Education—judges in other cases have ruled that unions may lack standing to sue.

Which Agencies Have Been Targeted?

Several major federal agencies have already been drastically downsized or eliminated:

• U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) – Shut down, with thousands of employees dismissed.
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) – Closed, despite its role in protecting Americans from predatory lending. The CFPB had previously investigated Tesla’s loan policies, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
• NASA – Under review, despite SpaceX holding billions of dollars in government contracts with the agency.
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – Facing scrutiny over whether Musk’s influence will impact a $2.4 billion telecommunications contract currently held by rival company Verizon.

Beyond these agencies, DOGE has also implemented mass layoffs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which oversees weather forecasting and climate research; the Social Security Administration (SSA), which provides benefits to retirees and disabled Americans; the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), responsible for tax collection; and the U.S. Forest Service, which manages national parks and grasslands.

As Musk and Trump continue their push to overhaul the federal government, lawmakers and unions are bracing for further disruptions—and intensifying legal battles over the future of the U.S. civil service.