Trump and DOGE head Elon Musk are looking to make widespread cuts to federal agencies in the first month of Trump's presidency in what they say is an effort to save taxpayers money and end bureaucracy.
However, critics are sounding the alarm that necessary government services could be in jeopardy as the cuts begin to go through.
DOGE, which stands for Department of Government Efficiency, is a new department formed by Trump to help save money at the federal level.
The cuts that the department is recommending could potentially end the red-tape bureaucracy that comes with having several federal departments working in conjunction. However, it also could put essential services such as student loan services and the IRS tax refund timelines at risk, critics say.
As it is not a formal government department, DOGE has no legal or executive power to enforce its recommendations.
What Has DOGE Targeted So Far?
DOGE has focused on several departments, particularly those deemed redundant, like the Department of Education and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
By making substantial cuts to these departments or getting rid of them altogether, Trump and Musk said they hope to get rid of inefficiencies and redirect the funds back to the federal government for more effective use.
DOGE has recommended USAID be dismantled and its services move under the State Department.
Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration could also see significant budget and staffing reductions, which could threaten critical weather forecasting, experts say.
The Department of Education will likely face a dramatic downsizing or even outright elimination.
DOGE has so far claimed to average about $1 billion a day in savings based on budget cuts, and many of the most talked-about cuts were made to jobs and contracts centered around DEI initiatives in several federal agencies.
This includes recommending canceling 12 contracts in the Government Services Administration and the Department of Education, saving roughly $30 million. DOGE also recommended ending 12 underutilized leases, saving about $3 million.
On Monday, the Musk-led department said it wanted to axe 36 contracts, which would save $165 million across six agencies.
Last month, DOGE announced it wants to cancel 85 DEI contracts at more than 10 federal agencies, amounting to about $1 billion. A $45 million scholarship program for students in Burma would also be axed.
Likely also a part of DOGE's attempt to reduce government spending, Trump mandated that all federal workers must return to the office and implemented a federal worker hiring freeze this month.
This could save money in terms of salaries, but it also could reduce capacity for the agencies to do their jobs, leading to delays in tax refunds or even problems with Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid benefit processes, experts say.
