The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), one of US President Donald Trump's signature initiatives, has been officially disbanded with eight months still remaining on its original charter. This early closure marks the end of a program that was launched with ambitious goals to streamline federal operations and modernize government technology.
Early Closure and Official Statements
Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor confirmed the development in a post on social media platform X on Monday. While acknowledging that DOGE no longer functions as a centralized entity, Kupor emphasized that its guiding principles remain "alive and well" within the government framework.
In earlier comments to Reuters this month, Kupor had revealed that the initiative was no longer operating as a standalone organization. "It is no longer a 'centralized entity,'" he stated, adding "That doesn't exist" while recognizing DOGE's significant early interventions across Washington agencies.
Mixed Results and High-Profile Backing
The DOGE initiative, which received extensive promotion on social media from President Trump and advisors including Elon Musk, faced substantial criticism for delivering few verifiable savings despite its ambitious promises. Musk, who initially led the program, became famous for his theatrical approach to bureaucracy reform, notably brandishing a chainsaw onstage at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland while calling it a "chainsaw for bureaucracy."
According to reports, the initiative had made dramatic interventions targeting agency budgets, redirecting priorities, and aiming to reduce federal spending. However, the measurable impact on government efficiency remained questionable throughout its operation.
Transition and Legacy
Kupor clarified in his X post that while the centralized DOGE entity has been dissolved, its core principles continue to influence government operations. He highlighted several key areas including de-regulation, eliminating fraud, waste and abuse, reshaping the federal workforce, and making efficiency a priority.
"DOGE catalyzed these changes; the agencies along with USOPM and the White House Office of Management and Budget will institutionalize them!" Kupor wrote. He added that "The work we began with DOGE will continue to shape efficiency and accountability in government for years to come."
The administration has confirmed that the government-wide hiring freeze associated with DOGE has ended. Meanwhile, several former DOGE employees have transitioned to new roles within the administration. Notable among them is Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb and formerly part of Musk's team, who now heads the National Design Studio focused on improving government websites.
Other staff members including Edward Coristine and Zachary Terrell have moved to positions in the Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Naval Research, and the State Department. Despite the program's dissolution, President Trump continues to frame DOGE's original goals as part of his broader mandate to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse across federal operations.
Interestingly, the program's influence continues at state level, with states such as Idaho and Florida creating local initiatives inspired by the DOGE model. This suggests that while the federal program may have ended prematurely, its concepts continue to resonate in governmental efficiency discussions across the United States.
