In early Nov. 2024, President Donald Trump announced he would open a federal organization tasked with ensuring government efficiency. Now, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been founded with billionaire Elon Musk and former Republican presidential nominee Vivek Ramaswamy as the department’s co-chairs.
CBS News reported that on Jan. 20, 2025, President Trump officially created DOGE to cut government spending. Since Congress needs to approve the creation of new government agencies, DOGE is considered an executive committee. It is unclear whether or not DOGE will become a federal agency.
The Department of Government Efficiency hit the ground running with cutting initiatives and grants and government spending already.
On Feb. 10, 2025, DOGE reported on social media platform X, that 29 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) training grants were cut from the Department of Education, totaling $101 million.
Controversy has risen regarding this issue as DOGE has initiatives to cut grants and spending from vital federal programs, such as DEI programs and grants. DOGE has also taken the initiative to cut specific components of government agency websites, such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website of “LGBTQI+ Community Resources.”
There have been questions regarding why Elon Musk was chosen as co-chair of the Department of Government Efficiency as the richest man in the world. While the answer remains unclear, President Trump has referred to Elon Musk as a “special government employee.” While Elon Musk has been viewed as a key component of President Trump’s campaign, it comes as no surprise that he was asked by the president to co-lead a governmental organization.
