A bold plan to reshape the U.S. federal government is taking shape under the guidance of tech billionaire Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Dubbed the "Department of Government Efficiency" or DOGE—a nod to Musk’s favorite cryptocurrency—the initiative aims to slash the federal workforce and dismantle what its proponents call bureaucratic excess. While DOGE isn’t an official government agency, it’s poised to influence President-elect Donald Trump’s administration as he prepares to take office.
The duo has wasted no time, already meeting with Trump’s transition team at Mar-a-Lago to pitch their vision of a leaner government. Their proposal includes aggressive layoffs, targeting federal employees they argue are entrenched in inefficient systems. Musk, known for his hands-on approach at Tesla and SpaceX, has suggested that private-sector tactics—like the mass layoffs he oversaw at Twitter after its 2022 acquisition—could be a blueprint for Washington.
Federal workers, however, are pushing back. Unions representing government employees warn that such cuts could gut essential services, from tax collection to public safety. “These aren’t just numbers; they’re people keeping the country running,” said one union leader, who asked not to be named. The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal union, has vowed to fight any moves that threaten its members’ jobs.
Musk and Ramaswamy aren’t fazed. They’ve floated ideas like eliminating entire agencies and slashing regulations to free up billions in spending. Supporters say it’s a long-overdue reckoning for a bloated system; critics call it a reckless gamble that could destabilize government operations.
Trump, who campaigned on draining the swamp, seems receptive. His first term saw efforts to shrink the federal payroll, though they were often stalled by legal challenges and congressional gridlock. With Musk and Ramaswamy now in his corner, the incoming administration could have the momentum to turn promises into action.
For federal workers, the clock is ticking. As Trump’s inauguration nears, many are bracing for a showdown over the size and scope of the government—one that could redefine how Washington works for years to come.