The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) began as a joke but has become a controversial force that is reshaping the US government. Established by President Donald Trump by an executive order, DOGE renamed the US Digital Service as the US DOGE Service, originally intended to modernize federal technology. Its influence, however, has expanded, now encompassing reducing bureaucracy, reorganizing the workforce, and regulatory reforms.
Who Runs DOGE?
DOGE is headed by Amy Gleason, who reports to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Trump has, however, credited the initiative to Elon Musk. Although the Justice Department says Musk is an adviser, his active participation in government decision-making raises questions about how much authority he wields.
Ethics and Conflict of Interest
Musk’s role is legally and morally questionable. A special government employee, he does not have to divest or disclose his interests. His companies, like Tesla and SpaceX, keep securing contracts from the government, creating possible conflicts of interests. Trump holds that Musk would police himself but others remind them that this lack of oversight is dangerous.
Reform or Corporate Takeover
Its supporters say that DOGE is necessary to reform bureaucracy, with Republican leaders praising its efficiency. Its critics, meanwhile, see it as a corporate takeover of the government, warning that Musk’s unchecked authority might erode democratic accountability.
As DOGE continues to evolve, its lasting legacy remains to be seen. Will it be a model for effectiveness, or will it be regarded as an overreach of executive power? What is certain is that its legacy is already changing the American government, for better or worse.
