Overview
- Treasury data cited by The New York Times show federal spending increased in 2025 despite DOGE’s pledge to deliver sweeping cuts.
- The Times found many of DOGE’s biggest claimed savings were wrong, including the top 13 listed contract cuts, with some “savings” created by lowering contract ceiling values rather than actual payments.
- Think-tank analyses reported outlays were roughly $248 billion higher through November year over year, while federal employment fell about 9 percent in less than 10 months.
- DOGE said it made more than 29,000 cuts, yet the unit has since been dismantled or absorbed into other offices after Elon Musk’s May departure.
- Musk later called the effort “somewhat successful” but said he would not do it again, as White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles criticized its execution and Democrats alleged waste and harm that have not been independently verified.