Overview

• The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, aims to cut $2 trillion in federal spending by targeting regulations, agencies, and programs deemed wasteful.
• DOGE is not a formal government department but an advisory group working with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to propose cost-cutting measures via executive action, bypassing legislative approval.
• Critics, including watchdog groups and Democratic lawmakers, argue that DOGE's leadership and mission pose conflicts of interest, risking harm to essential federal programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
• Conservative think tanks and nonprofit organizations are collaborating with DOGE, providing research and recommendations to identify areas of perceived inefficiency and 'woke' spending in federal budgets.
• Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, has requested representation in DOGE to ensure consumer and public perspectives are considered, warning that the initiative could prioritize corporate interests over public welfare.