The Department of Government Efficiency has shifted from high-profile slash-and-burn tactics to quieter, behind-the-scenes reforms, even as its ambitious $2 trillion savings goal faces widespread doubt. DOGE aimed to modernize federal tech, slash regulations, and curb waste, but recent developments highlight both progress and push back.
President Trump signed Executive Order 14356, implementing DOGE's "Workforce Optimization Initiative." The order mandates agencies to develop data-driven hiring plans, prioritizing "highest-need areas" while adhering to a federal hiring freeze. It requires consultation with DOGE Team Leads at each agency to curb non-essential hires, building on earlier EOs from January. Critics, including federal unions, filed lawsuits claiming it violates civil service protections, but the White House hailed it as a "merit-based overhaul."
DOGE concluded its audit at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), identifying inefficiencies in regulatory tech and staffing. Sources told Reuters news that the team would "exit the agency" marking one of DOGE's final high-visibility operations before its planned wind-down in July of 2026. The review led to $500 million in projected savings via streamlined filings, but Democrats decried it as undue influence on financial markets.
In a recent Joe Rogan Experience podcast episode, Elon Musk reaffirmed DOGE's ongoing work, stating, "It's less publicized... They don't have a clear person to attack anymore." He highlighted "waste and fraud" reductions across agencies, including unreported contract terminations totaling $110 billion..
As Fiscal Year 2025 closed (ending September 30th, but the analyses just dropped), Treasury data showed a $1.8 trillion end of year deficit, up $76 billion from FY2024, despite DOGE's claims of $150 billion in cuts for FY2026. NPR reported agencies rehiring laid-off staff (e.g., 135K+ fired earlier, hundreds back by October), with spending up 6% to $6.6 trillion. The national debt reached an unprecedented milestone of $38 trillion as of October 16th.
DOGE's October-November phase feels subdued compared to its February through May frenzy of 135K+ layoffs and $180 billion in savings. Supporters praise the low-key pivot as strategic, avoiding media firestorms.
With DOGE set to dissolve post-July 2026, Elon Musk’s legacy with the ground-breaking initiative will remain through tech pilots such as Artificial Intelligence audits at the IRS.
This will be our final official “DOGE Report”. However, the Mohave Free Press will continue to report DOGE news as it happens, such as the result of pending litigation.
For real-time updates, check doge.gov