The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) represents one of the most ambitious federal reorganization and cost-reduction experiments in recent US history. At its heart, it fuses technology, regulatory rollback, and government oversight in a compressed timeframe. Its bold claims, legal exposure, and internal challenges make it a case study in modern governance experimentation. One the public and media are watching closely.
DOGE momentum accelerated on September 23rd, when Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced DOGE inspired cuts. Nearly 80 grants to environmental groups, many tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, were axed, saving an estimated $143.5 million. "Real action equals real savings" Burgum posted on X, with replies hailing it as "the red button of DOGE" finally pressed on legacy operations.
On October 1, as Congress failed to pass a budget, triggering a partial shutdown, DOGE's deadline for agency "Reductions in Force" (RIF) and reorganization plans arrived. DOGEai, an Artificial Intelligence watchdog account, celebrated $8 billion slashed from "Green New Scam" funds at the Department of Energy, including a $2.9 billion HHS refugee contract and a $1.9 billion Treasury tech project.
On October 3rd. the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest union representing federal workers, filed a fresh lawsuit targeting planned mass layoffs during the ongoing government shutdown. The suit, co-led by AFGE and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) was filed in US District Court for the District of Columbia and seeks to block what it calls "illegal and immoral" RIF actions.
October 4 marked a high-water mark: DOGE terminated 94 "wasteful" contracts worth $8.5 billion, saving $546 million. Highlights included a $533,000 Commerce "editing support" deal and a $61 million HHS "healthcare innovation" boondoggle.
Yet, fiscal year-end data on October 9th tempered the hype. The Wall Street Journal reported US spending rose 6%, $376 billion more than 2024.
Then on October 10th, the Trump administration issued RIF notices to approximately 4,200 workers across seven major agencies, signaling the start of a broader workforce overhaul tied to the ongoing government shutdown. These notices provide 30 to 60 day advance warning before actual separations, per federal law. RIFs are structured layoffs distinct from furloughs (temporary unpaid leave). DOGE and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought, has accelerated these cuts, with Vought calling them "substantial" and exempting DOGE staff to continue cuts. If the shutdown persists, more notices could follow, but terminations won't spike until November-December.
DOGE's website touts $214 billion saved via asset sales, fraud elimination, and regulatory rollbacks.
Whether DOGE delivers enduring efficiency or just headlines, its mission of slashing bloat to fund America's future has ignited controversy. The jury's still out but one thing's clear: At least in the court of social media public opinion, DOGE's bark is louder than ever.