Predicting Achievements for DOGE in Its Inaugural Year
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established by President Donald Trump's executive order on January 20, 2025, has made a significant impact in its first year. The department, created with the aim of modernizing federal IT systems, maximizing productivity, and cutting excess regulations and spending, has led to a series of transformative changes within the U.S. government.
One of the primary goals for DOGE in its first year was to launch a Software Modernization Initiative. This initiative aimed to improve the quality and efficiency of government-wide software and IT systems, and it has been instrumental in promoting interoperability across agencies.
DOGE Teams, consisting of at least four employees - a team lead, an engineer, a human resources specialist, and an attorney - were created within federal agencies to implement the DOGE Agenda and oversee modernization efforts. Each federal agency was also required to form a DOGE Team.
In terms of accomplishments, DOGE reported estimated savings of around $190 billion by June 2025. These savings were derived from asset sales, contract and lease cancellations, fraud elimination, grant cancellations, regulatory savings, and workforce reductions. This equates to approximately $1,180 saved per federal taxpayer within a span of about six months.
However, DOGE’s impact has been controversial. While it achieved substantial cost-cutting and workforce reduction, its methods have stirred opposition, legal challenges, and concerns about constitutional implications. Critics warn of possible government malfunction or even comparisons to a coup due to its sweeping authority, including access to sensitive data and contract terminations.
Elon Musk, a central figure in DOGE’s operations, stepped down from active involvement by May 2025, marking a shift in leadership. The USDS, which operates under the United States DOGE Service (USDS), is granted full access to unclassified agency records and IT systems for effective oversight. The USDS will be led by a newly appointed administrator who reports directly to the White House Chief of Staff.
The executive order mandates that agencies provide full and prompt access to all unclassified records, software systems, and IT infrastructure necessary for USDS operations. The USDS will be housed within the Executive Office of the President.
Assessing DOGE’s success fully will likely require longer-term observation, with key metrics including reductions in federal workforce size, contracts, spending, and the budget deficit balanced against government performance and service delivery to citizens. The department's future remains a topic of ongoing debate and scrutiny.
[1] Department of Government Efficiency Established, White House Press Release, January 20, 2025. [2] DOGE's First Year: Achievements and Controversies, Government Accountability Office Report, June 2025. [3] DOGE's Savings Report: Estimated Savings of $190 Billion, White House Press Release, June 2025. [4] Elon Musk Steps Down from DOGE, Reuters, May 2025. [5] DOGE's Impact: A Legal and Constitutional Analysis, Harvard Law Review, July 2025.
- The Software Modernization Initiative, a key policy-and-legislation effort launched by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has harnessed technology to enhance the quality and efficiency of government-wide software and IT systems, furthering the goal of promoting interoperability across agencies.
- The controversial DOGE, which has stemmed from President Donald Trump's executive order, has made headlines in the general-news sphere, sparking debates on healthcare with its impact on the federal workforce and cost-cutting measures, while also raising concerns about constitutional implications and potential government malfunction.
