The DOGE, Department of Government Efficiency, is a new initiative launched by US President Donald Trump. Led by Elon Musk, this advisory body aims to significantly reduce public spending and reform the US federal administration. Presented as a revolution in government management, the DOGE generates both enthusiasm and questions regarding its effectiveness, legitimacy, and future prospects.
Created on January 20, 2025, the day of Donald Trump’s inauguration for his second non-consecutive term, the DOGE seeks a radical overhaul of the US administration. It is not a traditional government agency but rather an advisory body attached to the White House. Unlike classic federal entities, it has neither legislative power nor a defined hierarchy and does not depend on Congress. Its role is strategic: to propose reforms and identify budgetary savings.
This ambitious and controversial project has sparked mixed reactions, with expectations of transformation on one hand and concerns about a possible reduction in oversight on the other.
Elon Musk, Chief Advisor
Appointed as the head of the DOGE, Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur and founder of Tesla and SpaceX, serves as an unpaid special employee. His commitment is limited to 130 days per year, in accordance with federal ethical rules. Although he does not lead an administrative body, he plays a key role in directly advising the presidency on reducing bureaucracy and optimizing federal resources.
On February 11, 2025, Donald Trump signed an executive order granting Elon Musk, through the DOGE, a central role in managing federal agencies to cut bureaucracy and costs. Presented as an economic lever and a measure to combat corruption, this initiative relies on a flexible and decentralized model without a traditional hierarchy. However, the lack of a clear structure raises questions about the transparency and accountability of its actions.
An Ambitious Cost-Cutting Plan
The DOGE aims to save $2 trillion, approximately one-third of the federal budget. To achieve this, it proposes reducing administrative regulations, cutting the number of federal employees, and eliminating unnecessary expenditures.
Among its flagship measures, the DOGE envisions shutting down certain government agencies and reducing the number of civil servants. For example, USAID (responsible for international aid) and the IRS (which manages taxes) could be eliminated.
The DOGE also seeks to modernize the government’s payment system and take control of sensitive data related to public transactions. While the goal is to improve efficiency, this centralization raises concerns about the security of government financial data and public transactions.
The concentration of sensitive data, although ambitious, presents risks of information leaks and cyberattacks. This accumulation of power also increases the dangers of mismanagement and vulnerabilities within critical systems.
A Symbolic Deadline
The DOGE has until July 4, 2026—the 250th anniversary of the United States’ Declaration of Independence—to achieve its objectives.
This project echoes the “Grace Commission” launched under Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, which also aimed to reduce public spending. However, very few of its recommendations were implemented, fueling skepticism about the DOGE.
Some experts consider the budget reduction target unrealistic, while others warn of the consequences of mass agency closures and job cuts, which could weaken essential public services.
A Divisive Project
Since its launch, the DOGE has sparked contrasting reactions. While some hail it as a revolutionary project, others denounce the risk of state disengagement and weakened oversight.
Political figures such as Bernie Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont, and Ro Khanna, a Democratic representative from California, criticize the involvement of an unelected billionaire in government management.
The DOGE faces legal challenges, particularly regarding access to sensitive data related to federal payments, raising concerns about the protection of confidential information.
Another source of controversy is the composition of the DOGE: young engineers (aged 19 to 24 and former employees of SpaceX or X), with little experience in the public sector, but playing a key role in modernizing government systems. Their lack of experience raises doubts about their ability to carry out complex reforms, particularly in public finance.
In the end, it remains difficult to say whether the DOGE will achieve its objectives or if it will remain an initiative without significant results.
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