DOGE vs Deep State - Trump’s Efficiency Crusade Left’s Hypocrisy
My View, and added sources on stats
As I reflect on the current political climate, it's evident that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by President Trump and Elon Musk, has become a focal point of contention. The left's vehement opposition to DOGE's initiatives reveals a reluctance to confront the inefficiencies, overspending, and bureaucratic bloat that have long plagued our federal government.
From the outset, DOGE was established with a clear mandate: to scrutinize federal expenditures, identify waste, and streamline operations to ensure taxpayers' money is utilized effectively. This mission aligns seamlessly with President Trump's campaign promises to overhaul Washington's entrenched bureaucracy and foster a government that truly serves its people.
However, rather than engaging constructively with DOGE's findings, many on the left have chosen to focus on sensationalist media narratives. These narratives often portray DOGE's actions as overreaches, questioning the department's legitimacy and authority. Such portrayals conveniently sidestep the substantive issues DOGE has uncovered, including redundant programs, unchecked spending, and departments operating without clear accountability.
A prime example of this opposition is the series of lawsuits filed by left-leaning organizations and unions aiming to halt DOGE's efforts. These legal challenges, rather than addressing the root problems of waste and inefficiency, seem designed to maintain the status quo, protecting established interests over the public good. This resistance not only hampers progress but also undermines the will of the electorate who voted for meaningful change.
It's also worth noting that while DOGE has reported significant savings— The stats are not clear to how much we will see in savings. This underscores the importance of transparency and accuracy in governmental reforms. Despite these adjustments, the pursuit of efficiency and fiscal responsibility remains paramount.
President Trump, bolstered by a clear electoral mandate, is acting swiftly to fulfill his promises. The rapid implementation of DOGE's initiatives demonstrates a commitment to cutting through red tape and delivering results. Yet, the left's reluctance to acknowledge the necessity of these reforms suggests an attachment to outdated ideologies that prioritize bureaucratic preservation over innovation and efficiency.
In this transformative period, it's imperative to recognize that challenging the established order is bound to provoke resistance. However, the ultimate goal remains: to create a government that operates with the utmost efficiency, accountability, and dedication to its citizens. As DOGE continues its work, one can only hope that constructive dialogue will eventually replace obstruction, paving the way for a government that truly reflects the will and best interests of the people.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has identified and acted upon numerous instances of excessive spending beyond contract-related expenditures. While precise cumulative savings from these actions are challenging to quantify due to varying reports and ongoing analyses, several notable examples highlight DOGE's efforts to curb wasteful spending: Here are a few I found I could source.
Misallocated Funds Recovery: DOGE collaborated with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to recover approximately $1.9 billion in funds that were misplaced during the previous administration. These funds, initially earmarked for financial services administration, were de-obligated and returned to the Treasury for reallocation.
EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Termination of Non-Essential Contracts: DOGE has canceled numerous contracts deemed non-essential or wasteful. For instance, a $168,707 contract for an Anthony Fauci exhibit at the National Institutes of Health Museum was terminated, reflecting DOGE's scrutiny of expenditures that do not directly benefit taxpayers.
EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Reduction of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Expenditures: Significant funds allocated to DEI initiatives have been rescinded. Notably, $45 million designated for DEI scholarships in Burma was canceled, as DOGE assessed these programs did not align with its efficiency mandate.
EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Regarding the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), DOGE has scrutinized and highlighted several expenditures considered excessive or misaligned with U.S. interests:
Controversial Funding Initiatives: Reports indicate that USAID allocated funds to projects such as a $47,000 transgender-themed opera in Colombia and $2 million for gender-affirming care in Guatemala. These expenditures have been criticized as misuses of taxpayer money, leading to increased oversight and budgetary adjustments by DOGE.
CTINSIDER.COM
Funding to Questionable Entities: Investigations revealed that USAID inadvertently financed organizations with links to terrorist activities. For example, funds were reportedly funneled to groups associated with designated terrorist organizations, prompting DOGE to implement stricter vetting processes and halt such disbursements.
WHITEHOUSE.GOV
Questions----
Why is the left so focused on attacking DOGE instead of addressing the waste and inefficiencies it has uncovered?
If government overspending is a well-documented issue, why are so many on the left resisting efforts to fix it?
Does the backlash against DOGE reveal a deeper fear that Trump’s reforms are working?
Are lawsuits against DOGE truly about legality, or are they just an attempt to protect entrenched bureaucratic interests?
With Trump rapidly fulfilling his promises, is the left’s outrage more about losing power than genuine concerns about government efficiency?
I will also use this thread to post any info on DOGE.Today---- Feb 25 2025
Fox News STRUCK 'DOGE': The Department of Government Efficiency reports that it has saved an estimated $65 billion since its launch and adds that it is working to make all data accessible in a "digestible and fully transparent manner."
I believe transparency, supported by facts, is crucial when it comes to the findings of DOGE. We, the people, deserve to see the facts and a true account of the savings, as well as the changes being made to improve the efficiency of agencies.I don't think anyone opposes reasonable cuts in government. Most people don't support the manner in which Elon and his team are going about things though. Far too many misleading statements or actually outright lies. Claims of fraud with no evidence, Department of Justice clearly not acting on anything. Demonizing federal workers when after all they are just regular people like any of us, a good deal of them probably voted for Trump. This process has been very ugly, without dignity or respect.
I don't know, Americans get fairly incensed when a billionaire is sort of lording over them in a patronizing manner, you know as if folks are mere peasants. The backlash has begun and it's only going to pick up steam. Americans, for the most part do not like Elon.It’s fair to say that government spending cuts should be done thoughtfully, but the reality is that much of the criticism aimed at Musk seems to be more about how he presents himself rather than the actual substance of what he’s uncovering. The federal government has grown massively, and many Americans believe there is bloat that needs to be addressed. If fraud or wasteful spending is happening, transparency should be welcomed, not dismissed because some don’t like Musk’s personality.
As for the claims of fraud, just because the DOJ hasn’t acted on something yet doesn’t mean there’s no merit to the accusations. We’ve seen before how slow government agencies can be when addressing internal misconduct—often for political reasons. If the evidence Musk is bringing forward is inaccurate, then it should be easy for the government to refute it with facts. Instead, the response seems to be to attack Musk himself rather than the information he’s putting out.
Regarding public sentiment, while some people dislike Musk, many others appreciate what he’s doing. There’s always going to be backlash when someone challenges the status quo, but Americans have historically admired those who expose corruption and inefficiency—whether they agree with them on everything or not. Also, let’s not forget that Musk has put out a statement that DOGE will be releasing a report on what they have saved and accomplished, so I’ll be looking forward to seeing that information before making any final judgments."As for the claims of fraud, just because the DOJ hasn’t acted on something yet doesn’t mean there’s no merit to the accusations.
Actually, it does. It is the job of the Department of Justice to prosecute fraud... Fortunately or unfortunately they need actual evidence though. Currently, they have baseless accusations.
If fraud or wasteful spending is happening, transparency should be welcomed,"
But there is no transparency? Not in any stretch of the imagination could what they have posted be considered transparent. Random Excel sheets, dollar amounts... No contexts. Most of it amounts to a big pile of nothing. Much of it, as analysis has shown are things that have already been paid for. Those are not savings. That's money that is already gone.
What have we had so far? Misleading people about social security payments, about condoms, about "social deception ". It's shockingly stupid.A bloody good commentary about DOGE
https://youtu.be/utl2uLh1wVI?si=l5Nfnk4 … &t=398
I don’t like the Muskrat either and am chomping at the bit awaiting his downfall
You will be waiting a long while most likely...
This guy is pretty good at accomplishing the things that cannot be accomplished, according to all the 'experts'.
I think that the ugliness, the cruelty of this whole movement is what has really gotten me and so many others.
I saw this and those feelings of disgust for what is going on really crystallized...
https://x.com/Acyn/status/1894477067497930785Thank goodness we have current leaders of state in our Country that no longer care about the opinions of people who give their feelings priority over facts or reality. Who no longer pretend that men can be women... who no longer think 100 million to teach kids to be tolerant of LGBTQ+ in Pakistan is a wise investment, etc. etc.
The screams and cries and rants will be relegated to echo-chambers and not be the driving force for government policy or procedure... for at least 4 years.... and if they clean out the corruption thoroughly enough... probably decades to come.
Today DOGE posted more savings Feb 25
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Today, the Federal Government exceeded $100M in annual rent savings through cancellations of 250+ vacant/underutilized leases totaling 3M+ square feet. With ~7,250 current leases, there is plenty of available office space for the current workforce.
Today at 07:35 PM
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all which have been cancelled:
-$69mm for the Eurasia Foundation to do "digital transformation activity" in Europe
-$32mm to Internews for programs including "media enabling democracy, inclusion, and accountability in Moldova" and the promotion of “sustainable media outlets"
-$7mm for the American Bar Association to promote the "resilience" of the "Eurasian legal sector and civic society"
-$520mm for a consultant to do ESG investments in Africa and "mobilize private sector resources and expertise”
-$25mm to “promote biodiversity conservation and promote licit livelihoods” by developing “socially responsible” behaviors in Colombia
-$40mm to "improve the social and economic inclusion of sedentary migrants"
-$42mm for Johns Hopkins to research and drive "social and behavior change" in Uganda
-$45mm to "address[] the needs, opportunities, and challenges identified by activists and other civic actors engaged in nonviolent collective action"
-$52mm for the World Economic ForumAs a retired civil servant, this is a thread that interested me. I'm on the go.
DOGE Quietly Deletes the 5 Biggest Spending Cuts It Celebrated Last Week...
"The cuts, highlighted on an earlier version of the “wall of receipts” posted by Elon Musk’s team, contained mistakes that vastly inflated the amount of money saved and we're riddled with errors".
Doge has lost all credibility, that is if they even had any to begin with. Not trustworthy.
These are not "audits" and it’s not how audits work. Posting inaccurate screenshots on a website and simply saying the word “savings” does not mean actual savings. what’s going on here? Is it ineptitude? Is it data manipulation? Is it government propaganda? Whatever the answer, it is not adding up.
From the Economic Times, which I point out is Right leaning, for those of you who place so much importance on that...
"A closer look [at DOGE] suggests that many of its reported cost-cutting victories are exaggerated, misleading, or outright incorrect. As watchdogs and former officials raise concerns, the pressure is mounting for DOGE to open its books and prove its claims. Until then, the numbers remain just that—numbers on a website, with little real-world evidence to back them up."
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/elo … yURL_share
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/upsh … anged.html
https://apnews.com/article/doge-federal … 20savings.
https://m.economictimes.com/news/intern … 445403.cmsThus far todays DOGE report
DOGE
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Great job by @SecVetAffairs
@DeptVetAffairs
This included cancelling a $3M contract for “organizational culture training” to instruct VA leadership on what culture and values they should have.
DOGE
VA Secretary Doug Collins
@SecVetAffairs
We found nearly $2 billion in @DeptVetAffairs contracts that we’ll be canceling so we can redirect the funds back to Veterans health care and benefits.
No more paying consultants to do things like make Power Point slides and write meeting minutes!
The DOGE team working onAre you insinuating VA Secretary Doug Collins, an actual source with a NAME and FACE is lying? Odd you have the habit of posting articles with no sources but " a mysterious individual said this--- LOL
So is VA Secretary Doug Collins lying? I have pointed out your hypocrisy before but this is truly once again another example. DID you fact-check the last few articles you posted? I could not --- due to no sources being present in the articles. Just "he said" pieces.DOGE Quietly Deletes the 5 Biggest Spending Cuts It Celebrated Last Week...
"The cuts, highlighted on an earlier version of the “wall of receipts” posted by Elon Musk’s team, contained mistakes that vastly inflated the amount of money saved and we're riddled with errors".
Doge has lost all credibility, that is if they even had any to begin with. Not trustworthy.
These are not "audits" and it’s not how audits work. Posting inaccurate screenshots on a website and simply saying the word “savings” does not mean actual savings. what’s going on here? Is it ineptitude? Is it data manipulation? Is it government propaganda? Whatever the answer, it is not adding up.
From the Economic Times, which I point out is Right leaning, for those of you who place so much importance on that...
"A closer look [at DOGE] suggests that many of its reported cost-cutting victories are exaggerated, misleading, or outright incorrect. As watchdogs and former officials raise concerns, the pressure is mounting for DOGE to open its books and prove its claims. Until then, the numbers remain just that—numbers on a website, with little real-world evidence to back them up."
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/elo … yURL_share
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/upsh … anged.html
https://apnews.com/article/doge-federal … %20savings
https://m.economictimes.com/news/intern … 445403.cmsStop repeating yourself. I don't care for diversions due to being cornered --- I asked you a direct question
Are you insinuating VA Secretary Doug Collins, an actual source with a NAME and FACE is lying?
Thus far todays DOGE report
DOGE
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Great job by @SecVetAffairs
@DeptVetAffairs
This included cancelling a $3M contract for “organizational culture training” to instruct VA leadership on what culture and values they should have.
DOGE
VA Secretary Doug Collins
@SecVetAffairs
We found nearly $2 billion in @DeptVetAffairs contracts that we’ll be canceling so we can redirect the funds back to Veterans health care and benefits.
No more paying consultants to do things like make Power Point slides and write meeting minutes!
The DOGE team working on
Were the contracts already paid for? Thus the money is long gone and cannot actually be considered savings like much of what doge tries to pass off?
Thus far todays DOGE report
DOGE
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Great job by @SecVetAffairs
@DeptVetAffairs
This included cancelling a $3M contract for “organizational culture training” to instruct VA leadership on what culture and values they should have.
DOGE
VA Secretary Doug Collins
@SecVetAffairs
We found nearly $2 billion in @DeptVetAffairs contracts that we’ll be canceling so we can redirect the funds back to Veterans health care and benefits.
No more paying consultants to do things like make Power Point slides and write meeting minutes!
The DOGE team working onYou didn't answer the question though, were these contracts already paid for, executed and therefore long gone?
If I cancel my newspaper subscription that I've paid for the entire year... I'm not saving anything. My money is not coming back to me.I have posted the information that is at this point available on the DOGE.gov website. I am taking these posts as true, and factual. The explanations they post are very clear short precise, and I would feel truthful. Any mistakes that some media have been writing about have the team have thoroughly clarified on the site. And were not mistakes made by DOGE but by employees at the agency.
I have posted all that DOGE has shared. I am very satisfied with their progress, I don't skirt around looking for articles that offer little sources to back up their pieces. I go to the source, and in this case, that is The DOGE website. You can certainly believe what you please. But don't bother me with any articles that don't have some sources to back up claims. Unlike you, I am not willing to ignore the facts that are being displayed.Yes you're posting what Doge posts but apparently unaware that what they are posting is without detail, without context and often misleading but many times outright false. Surely you have seen the ongoing fact checking?
I do my fact-checking, and I’m not about to accuse this team of lying or posting non-factual information. Every time a mistake has been made, it has been quickly corrected, showing a commitment to transparency. I will defer and say that I don’t agree with your view, nor do I align with the narratives pushed by leftist media. Instead of relying on biased reporting, I choose to go directly to the source and evaluate the facts for myself.
DOGE’s accomplishments thus far are many and speak for themselves. From eliminating wasteful government spending to streamlining bureaucratic inefficiencies, their impact is already being felt. They’ve successfully cut redundant programs, optimized agency operations, and reallocated resources toward projects that actually benefit the American people. Their commitment to posting real-time updates on DOGE.gov ensures that the public can see these results firsthand, rather than relying on the distortions of media outlets with an agenda. Transparency and efficiency are finally taking priority, and that’s something worth recognizing.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Douglas A. Collins took to social media on Tuesday to tout sweeping cuts to contracts that he said would save the department nearly $2 billion without touching core services.
But the 875 contracts on the chopping block help cover medical services, fund cancer programs, recruit doctors and provide burial services to veterans, according to internal VA documents.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics … -canceled/
“The hundreds of contracts Doug Collins proudly canceled today provide critical and direct services to veterans across the country. These contracts allow VA to recruit and retain doctors, inform veterans about their earned benefits, and perform safety inspections at VA medical facilities. Many of these contracts were also used by VA to conduct oversight of its spending and ensure veterans programs operate efficiently for veterans and taxpayers. "
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsr … o-veterans
DOGE shared its receipts — and some of them don’t match
" Among the 1,100-plus contracts purportedly canceled, POLITICO found:
Contracts that had not yet been awarded
Instances where a single pot of money is listed multiple times — tripling or quadrupling the amount of savings claimed
Purchase agreements that have no record of being canceled, but were instead stripped of language related to diversity, equity and inclusion
Contract savings identified by DOGE that do not match with records they refer to in the Federal Procurement Data System
Contracts where the underlying document is for an entirely different contract..."
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/2 … s-00002576Nearly 40% of the federal contracts that the Trump administration claims to have canceled as part of its signature cost-cutting program aren't expected to save the government any money, the administration's own data shows.
The Department of Government Efficiency run by Elon Musk last week published an initial list of 1,125 contracts that it terminated in recent weeks across the federal government. Data published on DOGE's "Wall of Receipts" shows that more than one-third of the contract cancellations, 417 in all, are expected to yield no savings.
That's usually because the total value of the contracts has already been fully obligated, which means the government has a legal requirement to spend the funds for the goods or services it purchased and in many cases has already done so.
https://m.economictimes.com/news/intern … 547321.cmsDoge says it shaved nearly $900 million from the U.S. Department of Education’s budget..
But that math isn’t adding up, according to both left- and right-leaning researchers who say the savings are exaggerated and a new analysis that shows it doesn't account for roughly $400 million that was effectively wasted – not saved – by the DOGE team.
The American Enterprise Institute, a right-leaning think tank, found discrepancies in DOGE’s number-crunching. Nat Malkus, a researcher at AEI, called DOGE’s initial claims of $881 million in savings “an arbitrary mishmash that doesn’t hold water.”
He, too, said the team is going about its work all wrong.
“DOGE has an unprecedented opportunity to cut waste and bloat,” he wrote in a blog post. “However, the sloppy work shown so far should give pause to even its most sympathetic defenders."
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/edu … 029312007/" It's shockingly stupid."
No. It is just as stupid as we were warned it would be and as stupid as it was last time.DOGE releases updated "wall of receipts" with more discrepancies...
For the second time in two weeks, DOGE's "receipts" don't match its claims.
On Monday, the Department of Government Efficiency released another round of so-called "receipts" — or canceled contracts to show its cost cutting — and posted them on its "wall of receipts." As was the case with the first round, this set, too, contained inaccuracies.
Despite doubling the number of listed contracts, the updated itemized savings now total $9.6 billion, a sharp drop from the original $16.6 billion in savings DOGE itemized last week. At the same time, DOGE is now claiming total savings of $65 billion — far higher than the amount itemized, and an increase from its earlier claim of $55 billion, much of which has previously been called into question.
DOGE's website claims this higher figure includes savings from contract and lease terminations, renegotiations, grant cancellations, layoffs and other miscellaneous reductions, but DOGE has not supplied documentation for the vast majority of the savings it claims.
In addition, $144.6 million is attributed to real estate savings, but DOGE has provided no supporting details beyond the dollar figure, agency and city, making independent verification difficult.
DOGE has not explained why it reduced the itemized total, but this is likely due to errors in the original reporting — many of which were first identified by news organizations including CBS News.
Initially, DOGE listed 1,127 receipts. That number has now grown to 2,299, though 34% of them report zero savings. The newly added receipts also contain apparent errors and instances of double, triple and even quadruple counting....
Other listings also raise questions, including:
Three separate items list savings of $15 million each, but each item references the same contract
Two line items list $9,999,999 in savings for a Consumer Finance Protection Bureau contract cancellation, although both of those are for the same contract.
In its first receipt release, DOGE listed another contract three times, claiming total savings of $1.965 billion. In reality, government records indicate that only $400 million had been spent over four years.
DOGE has also taken credit on X for the sale of a building in Washington, D.C., claiming it as savings. However, CBS News found that the building was actually auctioned off during the Biden administration for approximately $4 million. Oh my.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doge-wall- … repancies/When a new government come to power, it chose not to, or to probe the previous government, in especially how it spent the public money. Right? Doge is on the go. Obviously, doge made mistakes, but its worth correcting.
Hello Friend --- The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is setting a new standard for transparency with its updated website, DOGE.gov. It’s refreshing to see real-time updates on government savings and problem-solving efforts posted directly for the public to see. Elon Musk’s presence at today’s Presidential Cabinet meeting, openly taking questions, further highlights this administration’s commitment to accountability. The best way to stay informed is to go straight to the source rather than relying on leftist media spin. DOGE is proving that efficiency and transparency can go hand in hand!
DOGE has clearly struck a nerve with the Democratic Party and its supporters. It’s understandable that the sudden end to the cash flow for leftist projects would be difficult for them to accept.Jobs. It's costing real people their jobs. It struck a nerve with Democrats because it is cruel and will result in tremendous harm to our country.
"Jobs. It's costing real people their jobs. It struck a nerve with Democrats because it is cruel and will result in tremendous harm to our country." Kathleen Cochran
The government's decision to cut employees from several agencies is likely driven by a combination of budget constraints, efforts to streamline operations, and policy shifts that prioritize efficiency over bureaucratic expansion. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) suggests that these cuts are part of a broader initiative to reduce waste and ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively.
Critics argue that job losses will harm real people and disrupt public services. However, supporters counter that many government agencies have grown bloated over time, with overlapping responsibilities and inefficiencies that burden the economy rather than support it. Trimming the workforce could lead to more effective governance, reducing redundancy and ensuring that only necessary functions remain.
The claim that these cuts are “cruel” is subjective and introduces emotion into a scenario that should be evaluated logically. Government decisions, especially regarding spending and efficiency, must be based on practical outcomes rather than emotional reactions. While job losses are difficult, they are a reality in both the public and private sectors. The focus should be on whether these cuts improve efficiency, reduce waste, and serve taxpayers better.
As for the assertion that it will cause “tremendous harm to our country,” that depends on what positions are being cut. If essential services are compromised, that could be problematic. However, if these reductions target administrative excess, unnecessary regulatory burdens, or outdated programs, then the long-term impact might be positive.
Ultimately, your view reflects a fundamental ideology. In my view, a more limited government leads to greater efficiency and economic freedom. Either way, emotions should not drive a discussion—only facts, data, and a clear analysis of the consequences."While job losses are difficult, they are a reality in both the public and private sectors. The focus should be on whether these cuts improve efficiency, reduce waste, and serve taxpayers better."
----
Is Musk doing this or is he slashing without any real knowledge of the jobs and the programs they support?That is a really good question, and promotes a conversation that is being overlooked, and needs to be clarified. I have been following DOGE closely, and as of late, trying to find out how they function, how many members they have, and how they maneuver in the Federal agencies.
So, from what I’ve seen, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is really pushing to shrink the federal workforce and streamline things. Agencies have been told to submit their plans for major staffing cuts by March 13, 2025. The focus is on getting rid of redundant positions, closing unnecessary offices, and automating simple tasks to save money. Basically, they’re trying to trim the fat and cut down on bureaucracy.
To make this happen, DOGE has embedded teams in different agencies—each one includes a lead, an engineer, an HR specialist, and a lawyer. Their job is to work with agency heads to figure out where cuts can be made, limit new hiring, and restructure operations. Interestingly, some areas like law enforcement, customs, and the military are exempt from these cuts.
On top of that, the Office of Personnel Management is backing this effort with a new policy: for every four employees who leave, only one can be hired. They’re also encouraging agencies to renegotiate collective bargaining agreements that might slow down efficiency.
The whole idea here is to reduce waste and make the government more effective, but obviously, there are concerns about how this might affect services and morale. We’ll see how it plays out.
I got the information in my comment from the following sources:
New York Post
Business Insider
Politico
OPM
DOGE is comprised of about 100 diverse individuals with backgrounds primarily in technology, finance, law, and politics. They work hand in hand with agency heads, and offer suggestions, leaving the final decisions with the heads of departments regarding firing. They have no power to fire anyone. Here are just a few I dug up online..
Technology and Engineering
Luke Farritor: At 23, Farritor has interned at SpaceX and was a Thiel Fellow. He gained recognition for his work in deciphering ancient Roman scrolls using advanced scanning technology.
NYPOST.COM
Edward Coristine: A 19-year-old with a stint at Neuralink, Coristine has been involved in evaluating computer code within federal systems.
WIRED.COM
Kyle Schutt: With a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech, Schutt, 37, served as the Chief Technology Officer at Kerplunk, an AI-focused startup.
BUSINESSINSIDER.COM
Finance and Venture Capital
Adam Ramada: A 35-year-old venture capitalist from Miami, Ramada's firm has invested in companies like Impulse Space, a SpaceX supplier.
BUSINESSINSIDER.COM
Kendall Lindemann: At 24, Lindemann worked at Russell Street Ventures, a healthcare investment firm, and has a background in competitive swimming.
NYPOST.COM
Legal and Political
Austin Raynor: A lawyer who clerked for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Raynor has argued multiple cases before the Supreme Court and has experience in the Solicitor General's office.
BUSINESSINSIDER.COM
Chris Young: Formerly a senior political advisor at PhRMA and a national field director for the Republican National Committee, Young brings political strategy experience to DOGE.
BUSINESSINSIDER.COM
More savings today
Feb 26
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
A former ICE employee and Biden transition team member joined Family Endeavors in early 2021 and helped secure a sole-source HHS contract for overflow housing from licensed care facilities.
As a result, Family Endeavors’ cash and portfolio of investments grew from $8.3M in 2020 to $520.4M in 2023.
Since March 2024, HHS has paid ~$18M/month to keep the Pecos facility open despite sitting empty.
With national licensed facility occupancy now below 20%, HHS was able to terminate this contract, saving taxpayers over $215M annually.
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
RT @USGSAStephenE: Hope we didn't make you wait too long... within 3 hours of @DOGE post, @USGSA is taking immediate action to reduce $5.5…Read more
DOGE
Stephen Ehikian
@USGSAStephenE
Hope we didn't make you wait too long... within 3 hours of @DOGE post, @USGSA is taking immediate action to reduce $5.5M of IT spend & working to identify additional reductions across all categories—ensuring strong stewardship of your tax dollarsAngie--I was so pleased to see President Trump bring prayer back into the White House at his first Cabinet meeting today. It felt like a return to the values that so many Americans hold dear, recognizing faith as a guiding force rather than something to be pushed aside. That moment set the tone for his administration, making it clear that he wasn’t afraid to acknowledge the importance of prayer in leadership.
It's sort of like talk the talk but doesn't walk the walk. Not a man that shows off many (or any) Christian-like traits.
When he invites Muslims to give the prayer, Jews, Buddhists and another half dozen religions, then I might accept such a mixture of religion and American government.
(Never forget that the values you mention are what drove a great many to forsake their homeland in favor of the unknown, but an unknown where there were allowed to worship (or not) as they pleased. The "Christian values" of that time were not very conducive to tolerance or variations.)I must say WOW, again, Shar, but for a different reason! I missed this response earlier, but I see where others responded to it, negatively!
I loved seeing it too! We must get back to our roots! No matter the negativity - God, Faith, Belief in a higher power, Prayer, Scripture, are part of our DNA. There is documentation of Franklin making the case to Washington, when they have gotten off track during the Constitutional Convention, of turning back to God, back to prayer, remembering who had seen them through! God was invited in from the get-go, we must never again boot him out!Are folks comforted just by hearing the words of a prayer without the ideals contained within being evidenced? Put into action? Seems a little empty.
I would think that Evangelicals and Christians who voted for Trump would be outraged that administration funding cuts, particularly at usaid, that will hurt charitable groups, including Christian organizations.... But hey, they said a prayer!
"The proposed closure of USAID and the pulling of funds from other agencies and groups that care for the “hungry … thirsty … stranger … naked … ill … imprisoned” is anti-Christian at its core. It reflects a rejection of a basic value that Jews and Christians (and many others) hold as sacred. Christians may disagree about a number of important issues, but the imperative to care for the downtrodden is not one of them"
Gregory Sterling..
https://divinity.yale.edu/faculty-and-r … e-sterling
These posts about being so full of pride and comforted to see a prayer said before a political meeting seem pretty empty when there seems to be zero concern for the ugly words and behaviors of those in this administration. In my opinion, the prayers are nothing more than virtue signaling as are the requisite crucifixes around the necks of public figures...
"Yes, wow! Just how cruel can one party be?" Kathleen Cochran
I know I shouldn’t ask—but you do understand that the jobs being cut are part of a plan to reduce government spending and, in some cases, to address overstaffing. So, what is the logic behind your view? This isn’t about any particular political party. Many Democrats have expressed support for reviewing what DOGE is doing. Their objection is to the DOGE team itself, not the goal of improving government efficiency.
So are you fully against government efficiency?I think you're overlooking the terrible comments that have been made about federal workers by Trump and others in the administration. So many of them are being fired, do they need to be demeaned at the same time?
Feb 26
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Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Credit Card Update!
Pilot program across 14 civilian agencies to audit unused/unneeded “P-cards” (~700K accounts with ~$30B of spend in FY24).
After 8 days, ~24,000 cards have been de-activated, which will likely double by end of week.
Credit cards were also addressed in the President’s 2/26/2025 Executive Order:
https://whitehouse.gov/presidential-act … nitiative/
Will report back again next week.
More savings From DOGE
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all which have been cancelled:
- $60M for "Indigenous Peoples and Afro-Colombian empowerment"
- $74M for "inclusive justice" in Colombia
- $79M for "primary literacy" in Kenya
- $37M for "female empowerment" in Colombia
- $8M to "Reduce stigma, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQI+ communities" in Lesotho
- $3.3M for "being LGBTQI in the Caribbean"
- $25k to increase "Vegan Local Climate Action Innovation" in Zambia
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Update on the mine!
OPM has successfully executed the first ever fully digital retirement. The process took 2 days and more work is needed, but this is a great improvement from the current paper solution taking multiple months. Great job by the @USOPM team.
DOGE at work cutting red tape ti aid in making federal workers' retirement quicker and more efficient.
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Federal employee retirements are processed using paper, by hand, in an old limestone mine in Pennsylvania. 700+ mine workers operate 230 feet underground to process ~10,000 applications per month, which are stored in manila envelopes and cardboard boxes. The retirement process takes many months… DOGE asked OPM to create a digital program to handle the process of retirement. And they did it in one week.
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Update on the mine!
OPM has successfully executed the first ever fully digital retirement. The process took 2 days and more work is needed, but this is a great improvement from the current paper solution taking multiple months. Great job by the @USOPM team.
Watch video--- https://x.com/USOPMMore Doge "success"
Hundreds of weather forecasters and other federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were fired Thursday, with more to come today!
Most divisions of the agency, which employs scientists and specialists in weather, oceans, biodiversity, climate and other research and planetary monitoring fields, were affected.
The terminations are a blow to an agency that has been understaffed for years...
Meteorologists and computer engineers across NOAA were impacted, including at the Hurricane Research Division, where employees work to increase the accuracy of hurricane forecasts. Andrew Hazelton, a researcher with a PhD in meteorology, was one of the employees terminated Thursday, he said on social media. His role was to evaluate hurricane forecasts and improve the physics in the models that the National hurricane Center uses to track the storms.
Other departments in which roles were terminated include the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, and the division that develops and improves the United States' weather models.
Zachary Labe was one such modeler that was terminated.
"My job was to strengthen NOAA's use of machine learning and AI for subseasonal-to-decadal weather and climate prediction,"
Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, said on social media that the job cuts “are spectacularly short-sighted, and ultimately will deal a major self-inflicted wound to the public safety of Americans and the resiliency of the American economy to weather and climate-related disasters.”
OH WELL
https://abc7ny.com/amp/post/hundreds-we … /15962515/It would seem this President is more worried about getting our nation up and running again, and needs to cut many non-essential programs. Trump made it very clear climate was not one of his priorities, did he not? Did you not believe him?
How is this a "non-essential program"?? Thankful I don't live in an area impacted by severe weather events!
I haven't shared my personal view on the issue because it's complex, especially given the multiple perspectives at this moment in history. I don't think it's appropriate to have a local conversation about the climate because it's primarily a scientific issue. With my background in science, I prefer to stay out of such a complicated topic. Many scientists offer various scenarios on how climate change affects weather events. As I mentioned, in my opinion, Trump seems to be prioritizing getting the nation back on track over focusing on climate issues. I'm not saying I agree with this approach, but I’m simply sharing what I think he might be doing.
I will let the pros here take on the issue.
Yep it's all a big oh look over here we're canceling a dei event! While there are busy cutting crucial programs, unaware of the long term consequences . Just a distraction. Give the base what they want to hear and they will "look here not there" every time. Bonus points if you throw in the word trans...
Latest report posted on DOGE--- I am appreciating the great transparency. One only needs to be brave enough. and look at the facts to see what they are accomplishing. Fixing and cleaning out wasteful spending daily. Media spin just does not cut it when it comes to facts.
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Since this post, @USGSA took immediate action to reduce IT spend by deleting 114,163 unused software licenses & 15 underutilized / redundant software products — for a total annual savings of $9.6M.
DOGE
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Agencies often have more software licenses than employees, and the licenses are often idle (i.e. paid for, but not installed on any computer). For example, at GSA, with 13,000 employees, there are:
- 37,000 WinZip licenses
- 19,000 training software subscriptions (and multiple… Read more
Yesterday at 11:45 PM
DOGE
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
In 2023, @USOPM took out a $6M loan (Technology Modernization Fund) to convert the website to a new platform. After spending $5M, it is nowhere near complete and, if it was finished, would cost $400k/year to host (current OPM website hosting cost is… Read more
Yesterday at 09:48 PMLet me add to more of the "great" news coming out as a result of the doge-bros
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lost 4% of its staff, the agency said Monday, as part of ongoing efforts to cull probationary workers across federal agencies.
Oh this couldn't have anything to do with it, right? ...
"The safety agency has three ongoing investigations into electric automaker Tesla, whose CEO Elon Musk is acting as President Donald Trump's senior adviser in cutting federal employees. Two weeks before Trump took office, NHTSA opened a probe into 2.6 million Tesla vehicles over reports of crashes involving a feature that allows users to move their cars remotely."
https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/ … 006533007/(NHTSA) to Trump and Elon Musk, but there’s NO real proof of that connection. The reduction could be due to standard budget cuts, restructuring, or broader government policies that have nothing to do with Musk or Tesla. It also implies that Musk, as an adviser to Trump, played a direct role in cutting NHTSA employees, but there’s no confirmation that he had any influence over staffing decisions at that agency. On top of that, the investigations into Tesla were already ongoing before Trump took office, with one probe starting two weeks before his presidency even began. That alone undercuts the idea that the staffing changes were meant to interfere with Tesla-related cases. Even if NHTSA lost some employees, there’s no evidence that the layoffs directly affected these investigations. The language in the comment also feels biased, using phrases like "doge-bros" and sarcasm to push a narrative rather than laying out a factual argument. At the end of the day, this is just speculation, drawing connections that may not exist and making assumptions without backing them up.
I mean just yesterday you were finding labeling and slurs unnecessary.Lots of smoke. To quote an old Comer favorite.
But again, Elon promised he would recuse himself... Over and over he isn't doing that. Certainly diminishes his credibility. Need I remind folks of what a slur really looks like?The media is mostly covering what they think DOGE is doing, but often there’s no solid evidence to back up their claims. All I see are predictions. However, I do see the facts on DOGE.gov.
Certain media are bent on fake news. And they can't help it.
It's about eroding public trust....
This is what taking on the Swamp looks like ...
This has been a long time coming...
https://youtu.be/S_Lmcq7Qe6Y?si=iOZe__KaeUSjqW-I
Gotta laugh about it...
Feb 28 Tons of saving--= Got to read the list of where your tax dollars were being spent
-$400K for researching “sources of minority stress and alcohol consumption” among “adults who report uncertainty about their sexual orientation”
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Today NIH canceled grants for ~$10.9 million including:
-$1.7M for the “China Health and Retirement Longitudinal study” at Peking University in Beijing, China
-$135K for a research grant to China Medical University in Shenyang, China
-$142K for “using telehealth to improve access to gender-affirming care”
-$1.3M for “transforming health for gender-diverse young adults”
-$120K for “personalized 3-D avatar tool development” focused on “gender identities”
-$400K for researching “sources of minority stress and alcohol consumption” among “adults who report uncertainty about their sexual orientation”
-$160K for researching “racialized sexual discrimination” among “young sexual minority men of color”
-$241K for “an intervention to promote healthy relationships among transgender and gender expansive youth”When Doge lists that a vague or general contract has been fired and puts a dollar amount next to it... Here's one example of the "great" work behind it..
One such contract, struck by USAID is for lifesaving nutrition, contracts cancelled that had called for Ready to Use Therapeutic Food paste to be delivered to hundreds of thousands of children, most in Africa, according to the Georgia-based nonprofit set to deliver them, Mana Nutrition.
it’s a paste made of peanuts, milk, and vitamins that alleviates a form of acute malnutrition known as “severe wasting.”
Additionally, Atul Gawande, a surgeon who formerly led USAID’s global health initiatives, has established, via communications with partners that work with USAID, a list of contracts that were terminated. Among them are programs that offer natal care for mothers and children, that provide netting and other equipment to prevent the spread of malaria, that work to thwart the spread of Ebola and bird flu in dozens of countries, and much more.
Other cuts include programs preventing the spread of polio, treating HIV and tuberculosis, ensuring clean drinking water in war-torn regions, and buttressing public health in many other ways. Tens of millions of people benefited; now they will not.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/heal … tions.htmlTrump would say that we are "suckers", what do we get out of it?
Oh yes and the followers are so pleased to see a prayer said before a cabinet meeting... as they praise these cuts made by Doge.
And it's a good question. The answer is that we get to feel good about stealing from our neighbors and giving it to those in another country while our own people go hungry and we go bankrupt.
Makes perfect sense to the liberal, I suppose, but for me I don't like the idea of taking what someone has built in order feel good about feeding those across the world. I am NOT responsible for feeding the world regardless of what liberals tell me.Oh yes.... Maybe that life-saving paste can be given to our poor? LOL I'll bet the farm that it rots... And in terms of what happens around the world in little things like let's say Ebola or aids do impact us here... Remember a thing called covid that started in a country halfway around the world?
Love your reply--- So very wonderfully common sense, and wise. It will unleash a lot of what I call mush mush---
I take it that it was because that America, thinks she the world's police man? lol!
https://usafacts.org/explainers/what-do … velopment/
There is a difference between just being any old country and a great nation. Conservatives are disgusting people, flinty to the max and making a big fuss about 0.3 percent of the budget. How much of the crap that you support that I don’t take up far more than less than 1 percent of the budget?
When a real president, John Kennedy, started the Peace Corps, we were at our best. No one is talking about responsibility, but callousness and cruelty is the mark of the rightwinger, more than happy to feed missiles over people.Liberals are disgusting people, stealing every dime they can lay their grubby hands on from anyone they can find that has actually earned anything. After all, they say, it's only ten or twenty thousand dollars (unless you have more, whereupon it is measured in the millions).
Our budget is going to shrink by a whole lot more than 1% or we will all be in the food lines when it all collapses.
Yes, most pieces are less than 1%...but as anyone that has ever budgeted knows, those small pieces add up. If you don't want to simply chop the welfare system in half, accept that it will have to come from those small pieces and help find them. Quit whining and work with those trying to save the country instead of trying to destroy it.Dan, I completely agree with the point that the small pieces of government spending can add up to a significant burden on taxpayers, especially when it's not being properly managed. It's easy to overlook the impact of smaller expenditures, but when you combine them over time, they can drain resources and contribute to a much larger fiscal problem. Take, for instance, unnecessary subsidies or inefficiencies within federal programs—though each may seem insignificant on its own, together they can lead to a bloated budget that ultimately forces hardworking citizens to bear the brunt. It's about making tough decisions on cutting waste without sacrificing the essential support that helps the most vulnerable. And you're right—if we don’t act, it’s not just the budget that’s at risk, but the entire economy, which could lead to much more severe consequences for everyone, regardless of political leanings. Working together to identify those small inefficiencies and addressing them thoughtfully, rather than ignoring them, is key to securing a stronger future for the country.
There's a growing tendency among some to do nothing but whine and wring their hands, constantly looking for anything negative to dwell on. It’s incredibly frustrating when people focus more on complaining than on offering solutions or working toward actual progress. Unfortunately, this mindset only contributes to the problem rather than helping to fix it. It's a symptom of TDS—where the obsession with finding fault, no matter how small or exaggerated, ends up paralyzing any meaningful action. Instead of recognizing potential areas of improvement or compromise, it becomes an endless cycle of negativity, and raw hands.Are you up in arms about far examples of waste, fraud and abuse in federal agencies that take up a larger percentage of budget? The small pieces add up but the big pieces add up even faster, let's put some focus on DOD for example.
I am not whining, I want to save the country by avoiding Trump, Trumpers and Republicans in general, voting against them consistently. In that way, I do my bit for God and Country.
Chicken Little was not a character that I have ever subscribed to.Republicans consider major budget change to obscure deficit impact of extending Trump's tax cuts
Republicans are considering a far-reaching change to the budget process that would obscure the deficit impact of extending President Donald Trump’s multitrillion-dollar tax cuts in order to avoid paying for them.
It comes as part of a massive bill to advance Trump’s agenda that Republicans are seeking to pass on a party-line basis. If the tactic is successful, it would upend long-standing precedent and change the accounting process for current and future lawmakers, with major policy stakes.
Extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which Trump signed into law in 2017, would cost $4.6 trillion over a decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the official nonpartisan scorekeeper.
That’s under the “current law” metric that has traditionally been used, as the tax cuts are slated to expire at the end of this year. But Senate Republicans want to use a different scoring method called the “current policy” baseline, which would assume that extending tax cuts costs $0 because they’re already law.
Congressional GOP aides say the idea could have a huge impact on what they’re able to pass in the budget bill. If they use the current accounting process, they have no chance of making the 2017 tax cuts permanent, because that would require paying for it.
It’s a tacit admission that Republican leaders have no expectation of paying for the cost of their tax agenda.
“Assuming this is allowed under budget rules, this would represent a massive budget gimmick that would justify and allow trillions of dollars of new borrowing,” warned the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a Washington-based research group that advocates for lower deficits.
Trump wrote Wednesday on Truth Social, “I hope the House and Senate are able to agree on making the Tax Cuts PERMANENT!”
Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., the chair of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, said the way to make the 2017 tax cuts permanent would be to either change the way it’s scored or allow for a higher deficit number in tax reforms.
“Well, it’s a cost,” he said in an interview. “And so the policy baseline is one way to help get it. Or a higher number.”
Keeping up with the "success" of doge... When you take a little time to dig for what's behind the doge sites vague postings, you find the real story.
"When teens and young adults with disabilities in California’s Poway Unified School District heard about a new opportunity to get extra help planning for life after high school, nearly every eligible student signed up.
The program, known as Charting My Path for Future Success, aimed to fill a major gap in education research about what kinds of support give students nearing graduation the best shot at living independently, finding work, or continuing their studies...
Charting My Path was among more than 200 Education Department contracts and grants terminated over the last two weeks by the Trump administration’s U.S. DOGE Service. DOGE has slashed spending it deemed to be wasteful, fraudulent, or in service of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility goals that President Donald Trump has sought to ban....
Folks don't understand that the disabled fall into the inclusion section of the DEI Boogeyman.
Oh well... Hooray for the savings right?
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/02/26/tr … -students/The programs that Doge has eliminated just an educational alone are vast and staggering...
A federal research agency that tracks the progress of America’s students is being hit with almost $900 million in cuts after Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency found no need for much of its work.
It’s unclear to what degree the Education Department’s Institute of Education Sciences will continue to exist after Musk’s team slashed scores of contracts. Industry groups said at least 169 contracts were suddenly terminated Monday, accounting for much of the institute’s work.
Some of the biggest contracts were for long-term studies that track students’ learning from kindergarten through high school, a study evaluating strategies for teaching elementary school reading, and research on the effectiveness of supports for youth with disabilities, according to list of cuts obtained by The Associated Press.
Among the projects being cut is a study exploring how to accelerate math learning for students in fourth and fifth grade, according to a document obtained by the AP. Known as ReSolve, the project was being led by research group MDRC...
Weren't folks just complaining about our country not doing a good enough job in stem education?
OH WELL... At least we can celebrate the savings though right?
https://apnews.com/article/ies-musk-dog … 465999b011It is very interesting, it gets real once you really dig into Doge...
More than 10% of the staff working for the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration were fired this month as part of the government-wide cuts to recently hired federal workers ordered by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, task force.
Cuts affected multiple teams around the department, ranging from recently hired directors of SAMHSA's regional offices to staff working on projects related to the 988 hotline for people facing mental health crises, which the agency oversees.
Wow, wonder if this will impact folks looking for mental health or substance abuse help? God knows it's needed in this country.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/samhsa-men … 8-hotline/One of the wasteful, abusive or fraudulent contracts Doge cut... When you move beyond the vagueness of the Doge website and see the actual impact, on a community level many times, it's hard not to wonder what the long-term negative consequences will be .
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes Condemns VA Therapy Job Cuts in Phoenix, Calls for Community Support at Upcoming Town Hall...
"Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has decried the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) decision to cut jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, specifically targeting the firing of essential VA therapists in Phoenix, Arizona, according to a press release from her office. These therapists have been instrumental in assisting veterans through their struggles with PTSD and chronic pain, with over 1,400 VA employees being dismissed nationwide. "
Hopefully they'll find help elsewhere?
https://subscribe.azcentral.com/restric … id=controlSee new posts today
Conversation
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Yesterday, agencies cancelled 128 contracts for ~$60M of savings. Total terminations of wasteful contracts has now surpassed 3,000 since DOGE’s inception!
This included a $3.5M consulting contract for “larval fish monitoring” that “the Bureau of Reclamation identified as non-essential.”
More Doge "success".
"Never felt more betrayed': Red-state Army vet rages after Elon Musk fires him three times"
In an interview with Alaska Public Radio, Macans said that he was shocked earlier this month when he received a message informing him that he was being fired from his job as a disaster recovery coordinator at the Small Business Administration.
Shortly after this, he received another notice telling him that the prior termination notice was sent in error — before then receiving another notice telling him that he had, in fact, been fired.
As if that weren't bad enough, Macans still hasn't received documents from the government that he'll need to claim unemployment benefits and still has no idea when his health insurance will expire.
This is particularly crucial, says Macans, because wife Lara Macans is a cancer survivor who requires high-priced medications to control her autoimmune disorder.
I've never felt more betrayed in my entire life," said Macans.
Macans is also angry because his notice of termination said that he was being let go for performance reasons despite the fact that his last performance review called him "an exceptional asset to the Agency,"
Oh well, big balls is gonna make some errors, right?
https://www.rawstory.com/elon-musk-doge-2671215172/More DOGE deletions...
"Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has deleted hundreds more claims from its mistake-plagued “wall of receipts,” erasing $4 billion in additional savings that the group said it had made for U.S. taxpayers.
Late Sunday night, the group erased or altered more than 1,000 contracts it had claimed to cancel, representing more than 40 percent of all the contracts listed on its site last week. The deleted items included five of the seven largest savings that it had claimed credit for just last week. At the same time, the group added about 1,000 additional canceled contracts, worth smaller total savings."
Contracting and budget experts say that look has been worrisome.
From its start, the list has been full of errors: claims that confused billions with millions, triple-counted the same cancellation, or claimed credit for contracts that had ended years or even decades before. Contracting experts said these mistakes raised questions about DOGE’s basic understanding of the federal government, at a time when Mr. Musk’s group is attempting to rapidly overhaul it.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/us/p … -wall.htmlAviation Safety At Risk Amid DOGE Cuts And Shutdown Fears, Industry Leaders Tell Congress...
News from today's Congressional hearing on bolstering the beleaguered U.S. Air Traffic Control system....
Aviation leaders criticized DOGE for firing approximately 400 Federal Aviation Administration employees in mid-February, telling the hearing that a potential government shutdown in mid-March could threaten the country’s aviation safety.
“Haphazardly eliminating positions and encouraging resignations are having a demoralizing effect on the workforce,” testified David Spero, president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, which represents 132 terminated FAA workers who installed, maintained, and certified air traffic control and national defense equipment.
Spero added “no assessment had been done” before the firings to determine their impact on aviation safety.. YIKES
Although air traffic controllers were exempted from DOGE firings, additional pressures on them puts them in a “very vulnerable position and as risk to the system,” Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, testified.
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy (was he a former Fox couch creature?) announced a “hiring supercharge” for air traffic controllers last week,
I think recruitment right now is sort of a difficult thing,” said Spero. “I don't really know anybody out there that's dying to become a federal employee right now, given all the attacks that are happening on them, and that's what we're hearing from our folks.”
OH WELL
https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerow … own-fears/Supreme Court rejects Trump’s request to keep billions in foreign aid frozen
A divided Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the Trump administration’s request to keep billions of dollars in foreign aid approved by Congress frozen.
However, the court did not immediately say when the money must be released, allowing the White House to continue to dispute the issue in lower courts.
The ruling was 5-4.
The order was unsigned but four conservative justices dissented – Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh. That put four justices in the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts, Amy Coney Barrett, Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson.
The majority noted that given a court-ordered deadline to spend the money last week had already passed, the lower courts should “clarify what obligations the government must fulfil to ensure compliance with the temporary restraining order.”
At the center of the case is billions in foreign aid from the State Department and the US Agency for International Development that Trump froze in January as he sought to clamp down spending and bring those agencies in line with his agenda. Several nonprofit groups that rely on the funding for global health and other programs sued, asserting that the administration’s moves usurped the power of Congress to control government spending and violated a federal law that dictates how agencies make decisions.
US District Judge Amir Ali on February 13 ordered that much of the money continue to flow on a temporary basis while he reviewed the case. Days later, the plaintiffs argued that the administration was defying that order and continuing to block the spending and Ali then ordered the Trump administration to spend the money at issue by midnight Wednesday.
The Trump administration rushed an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court hours before that deadline, urging the court to at least pause it for a few days. The administration is making “substantial efforts” to review payment requests and spend the money, the government agued, but it couldn’t turn the spigot on fast enough to meet the Ali’s timeline.
The groups that sued have balked at that explanation, arguing that a small number of political appointees within the administration “are refusing to authorize essentially any payments.”
“The government has not taken ‘any meaningful steps’ to come into compliance,” the groups said a Supreme Court filing earlier Friday.
The Trump administration revealed in court filings in the case that it is attempting to terminate more than 90% of the USAID foreign aid awards.
Aid programs around the world have ground to a halt due to the sweeping funding freeze and review of billions of dollars of assistance. It also comes as the Trump administration has either placed the majority of USAID’s workforce on leave or terminated them.That is throwing the Monkey Wrench into the Trump machine, great news IB, thank you.
He is going to be furious with Roberts and Coney.
Yes, and this ruling may be the harbinger of every case where Trump has usurped power and authority that belongs to Congress. And, He damned well better obey the court ruling or it will be "helter Skelter"
It appears the Comey and Roberts are not as keen Trumpy conservatives. Trump did not appoint Roberts, but Comey, who he did appoint , will receive his wrath as she is beginning to question the direction of Trump driven conservatism relative to the Constitution that she has taken an oath to adhere to.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 … oge-checks
Another ruse?
Musk and Trump say that they can cut federal spending by 2 trillion, the American people may be authorized a $5,000 check as a form of "dividend".
First of all, they will never achieve cuts of the magnitude that they boast about.
Second this is a bait and switch scheme while they decimate government services they offer money to people as a consolation prize. Perhaps many people will be satiated and will not notice?
Third, I don't trust Donald Trump and will look for the maliciousness behind the purpose of this and every one of his plans first and foremost,"First of all, they will never achieve cuts of the magnitude that they boast about."
Here we agree. All it will take to end that kind of savings is all the Democrats and a small handful of Republicans. Both are readily available for purchase and combined they will continue to sell our children's future.
I DO think that Trump and crew will find substantial savings, though - ending just the fraud will help enormously.In that, we fully agree...
The corrupt sellouts within Congress and DC are plenty... and the pressure on them to keep the fraud and waste going will be immense...
I fully expect a Congressman or two to die under 'suspicious' circumstances in the weeks/months ahead, so that the rest get the message... that is, after all, how the mob works... the corruption is thick.I agree--- But, I feel they will reach a substantial number, and pass at least a trillion. I have been following this crew daily, and they are piling up the savings. I will admit it is very hard to keep up, I think media has given up trying. My money is on the DOGE crew.
A setback... due to improper procedure more than anything.
Trump’s lawyers just made a $2 billion mistake
https://www.vox.com/scotus/402648/supre … ds-vaccineThe opposition will have their impact in the first few months...
Things will settle down, they will clean out all the people from the DC Belt that they can... and put their own people in place... things should start going smoothly in a few months...
The fights will wind their way through the courts... the Trump Administration will have some setbacks, before eventually winning the vast majority of their cases or correcting procedure so that they cannot be fought in court.
Patience... good things come to those who are persistent and have patience.Absolutely! The first few months will be turbulent, but that’s to be expected when dismantling an entrenched bureaucracy. Once the right people are in place and the dead weight is cleared out, things will start running efficiently. The legal battles are inevitable, but history has shown that persistence and strategy win out in the end. The Trump has proven time and again that he knows how to navigate these challenges, adjust where necessary, and ultimately come out on top. Staying patient and focused will be key—real change takes time, but it’s coming.
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Yesterday, @NIH cancelled seven grants for transgender experiments on animals including:
- $532K to “use a mouse model to investigate the effects of cross-sex testosterone treatment”
- $33K to test “feminizing hormone therapy in the male rat”
Today at 07:07 AM
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
HUD completed the same audit. Initial findings on paid software licenses:
- 35,855 ServiceNow licenses on three products; only using 84
- 11,020 Acrobat licenses with zero users
- 1,776 Cognos licenses; only using 325
- 800 WestLaw Classic licenses; only using 216
- 10,000 Java… Read more
DOGE
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Agencies often have more software licenses than employees, and the licenses are often idle (i.e. paid for, but not installed on any computer). For example, at GSA, with 13,000 employees, there are:
- 37,000 WinZip licenses
- 19,000 training software subscriptions (and multiple… Read more
Today at 07:48 PMHave you fact checked as to what the reality is behind what they have labeled "transgender "experiments?
Hint...What does "transgenic"means in regards to cancer research on mice???Perhaps an idiom or maybe a proverb, "Ignorance is bliss" seems to cover some things about life. I wonder if this is such a case? Historically, the right ignores science lacking faith in it and harboring distrust. I at times ponder what the threat is?
Yep, at the same time we have RFK Jr responding to measles outbreaks by talking up steroids, erythromycin and cod liver oil...
I am not questioning what DOGE is posting. They are quick to fix errors. Not sure why you bring up "transgenics". Are you referring the DOGE post ---
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Yesterday, @NIH cancelled seven grants for transgender experiments on animals including:
- $532K to “use a mouse model to investigate the effects of cross-sex testosterone treatment”
- $33K to test “feminizing hormone therapy in the male rat”
Today at 07:07 AM
Where was cancer research mentioned in DOGE's post? Perhaps you could offer more on why you have connected these studies, DOGE canceled the grants to in the post you question. They were not specific, I would be interested in anything you can add.
Transgender experiments on animals do relate to transgenic research, but in a slightly different way than cancer research.
In these cases, the studies are using animal models (often transgenic mice or rats) to explore the effects of hormonal treatments like testosterone or feminizing hormones on biological sex. The animals in these studies may not necessarily be genetically modified (transgenic) to have specific foreign genes inserted, but they are being exposed to hormone treatments that alter their biological sex characteristics.
Here's how this relates to transgenic research:
Transgenic Animals in Research: In general, transgenic animals are genetically modified to study various biological processes. These can include hormone treatments and how they affect the organism's development. So, in theory, if a study wanted to see how a specific hormone influences gene expression, they could use a transgenic animal model to explore those effects.
Hormone Therapy and Sex Changes in Animals: The studies you mentioned are looking at how certain hormones (like testosterone or feminizing hormones) affect the development of sex characteristics in animals, such as rats and mice. These types of studies often involve observing how biological sex (male or female) responds to external hormone treatments. This research could use transgenic models, but not necessarily. If the animals are altered genetically to better study specific traits, they would indeed be considered transgenic.
In short, while the specific studies DOGE cut might not involve the creation of transgenic animals (animals with foreign genes inserted), they are still using animal models, often including genetically altered ones, to explore how hormonal treatments affect biological sex.
So, not sure what your "hint" refers to. You should not delve into such a complicated science. DOGE findings are posted frequently, I would assume if mistakes are made, they will correct them."Yesterday, @NIH cancelled seven grants for transgender experiments on animals...'
Were they actually about transgenderism? Or did they not understand transgenics?
"Transgenic mice are genetically modified mice that have had foreign DNA introduced into their genome, a process that is typically done to study the function of specific genes, model human diseases, or test potential treatments.
These projects, however, didn't involve physically transitioning mice from one gender to another and were aimed at figuring out the effects of hormones on disease, reproductive health, and immune responses."
Doge being misleading AGAIN.
"I am not questioning what DOGE is posting."
Probably should...
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/transge … im-7867258The studies that were canceled were studying ---- cases, the studies are using animal models (often transgenic mice or rats) to explore the effects of hormonal treatments like testosterone or feminizing hormones on biological sex. The animals in these studies may not necessarily be genetically modified (transgenic) to have specific foreign genes inserted, but they are being exposed to hormone treatments that alter their biological sex characteristics.
Here's how this relates to transgenic research:
Transgenic Animals in Research: In general, transgenic animals are genetically modified to study various biological processes. These can include hormone treatments and how they affect the organism's development. So, in theory, if a study wanted to see how a specific hormone influences gene expression, they could use a transgenic animal model to explore those effects.
Hormone Therapy and Sex Changes in Animals: The studies you mentioned are looking at how certain hormones (like testosterone or feminizing hormones) affect the development of sex characteristics in animals, such as rats and mice. These types of studies often involve observing how biological sex (male or female) responds to external hormone treatments. This research could use transgenic models, but not necessarily. If the animals are altered genetically to better study specific traits, they would indeed be considered transgenic.
In short, while the specific studies DOGE cut might not involve the creation of transgenic animals (animals with foreign genes inserted), they are still using animal models, often including genetically altered ones, to explore how hormonal treatments affect biological sex.
I will let anyone that reads this come to their conclusions on what was being studied. These particular studies had nothing to do with cancer---[ period.These particular studies had nothing to do with cancer---[ period.
Yes, transgenics plays a significant role in cancer research... I'll leave you to AI on that one..
"Yesterday, @NIH cancelled seven grants for transgender experiments on animals...'
Transgender? How did these experiments have anything to do with transgenderism? That was the real point of the post. That doge again is misleading, lying really.
Why did Elon identify these as transgender experiments?
They labeled a program cut as being related to transgenderism when in reality it pertain to transgenics... Do they really think that we're too stupid to look? To understand? They've caught on quickly that all that is needed is to throw out the bomb that is the word 'transgender" and a lot of folks are happy...OMG please read my comment --- I explained this all as simple as I could regarding transgenics. and how they played a part in the studies we are discussing, which these canceled studies had nothing to do with cancer.
"Yesterday, @NIH cancelled seven grants for transgender experiments on animals...'" willow Ultimately this is not a lie, in any respect.
I repeat. The studies involved Hormone Therapy and Sex Changes in Animals: The studies DOGE canceled were looking at how certain hormones (like testosterone or feminizing hormones) affect the development of sex characteristics in animals, such as rats and mice. These types of studies often involve observing how biological sex (male or female) responds to external hormone treatments. This research could use transgenic models, but not necessarily. If the animals are altered genetically to better study specific traits, they would indeed be considered transgenic.
The studies canceled had nothing to do with cancer in this case. You need to know more about the terminology transgenic.
In the case of the studies DOGE canceled ---Transgenic refers to an organism that has been genetically modified to contain one or more genes from another species. This modification is usually done by inserting foreign DNA into the organism’s genome, enabling the expression of specific traits or characteristics that would not normally be found in that species. Transgenic organisms are commonly used in research, agriculture, and medicine. For example, transgenic animals might be created to study gene function or to produce therapeutic proteins.
Yes, transgenic animals are often used in cancer studies. By modifying their genes, researchers can create animal models that develop cancer in a controlled manner, mimicking human cancer development. These models allow scientists to study the genetic, environmental, and biological factors that contribute to cancer and to test potential treatments. For example, transgenic mice can be engineered to carry specific cancer-related genes, helping to study how these genes affect tumor growth and response to therapies. These models are valuable for understanding cancer biology, testing new drugs, and developing better treatments.You continue to miss the point....
Doge said this....
"Yesterday, @NIH cancelled seven grants for transgender experiments on animals...'
How did these experiments have to do with transgenderism?
It is a lie.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/transge … im-7867258
Mar 6, and the savings roll on
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
The VA cancelled a $56,000 contract to water ~8 plants for 5 years. This is ~$1400/plant/year. The contract has been canceled and DOGE will water the plants free of charge.
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Two contractors spent 9 years and $200M working on a modern provider enrollment system at @CMSGov. After 14 missed deadlines, zero usable output was produced. The contract has now been cancelled.
Smart decision by @CMSGov and we look forward to working with you.
DOGE
CMSGov
@CMSGov
CMS has now canceled these two contracts (saving $17.8M annually), has hired multiple software engineers, and, working with @DOGE, are accelerating this project.
Today at 04:17 PM
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
247 cancellations of wasteful contracts today, with a ceiling value of ~$999M and savings of ~$390M, including a $3.5M Dept. of VA consulting contract for outsourced “enterprise mail management program support services” which the agency determined could be handled internally with the current
@DeptVetAffairs
team. In addition,
@ENERGY
@EPA
@HHSGov
contributed substantially.LOL... whatever! Bottom line---Stop spending our money on such crap!!
Crap? It's how diseases are modeled and potential treatments and cures are found....this bunch is misrepresenting what is actually going on. Actually, they're lying.
No one is lying, the studies that DOGE canceled are not looking for a cure to anything. This is what they are studying, and looking for answers to.
The studies you're referring to focus on understanding how hormonal treatments impact the development of sex characteristics in animals. They typically look at how external hormones, such as testosterone or feminizing hormones, influence the biological processes related to sex differentiation, especially in species like rats or mice. These kinds of studies could involve transgenic animals if genetic modifications are needed to better understand specific traits, but they don't necessarily have to. The key goal is to see how hormonal changes affect biological sex, but the use of transgenic animals isn't mandatory for all such studies.
It's important to clarify that while these studies may involve genetically altered animals to explore specific traits, they do not focus on cancer research. The studies are centered on understanding hormone treatments and their effects on sex characteristics, not cancer or other unrelated diseases. The conclusions drawn from these studies will depend on how one interprets the use of these models for researching hormonal influences on sex development.
You need to look into the particular studies that were canceled by DOGE. No one here has said scientific study is not important. This conversation started regarding DOGE canceling certain studies.
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Yesterday, @NIH cancelled seven grants for transgender experiments on animals including:
- $532K to “use a mouse model to investigate the effects of cross-sex testosterone treatment”
- $33K to test “feminizing hormone therapy in the male rat”
Today at 07:07 AM
Perhaps, because Trump, say they's only male and female in America?
Turns Out, Trump and DOGE Haven’t Actually Saved Any Money...
Donald Trump and Elon Musk claim they’re saving billions through the Department of Government Efficiency’s mass purge of federal bureaucracy, but government spending has actually gone up since Inauguration Day.
According to an analysis published Wednesday by Reuters, the Trump administration spent $710 billion between January 21 and February 20, nearly a billion more than Joe Biden spent in a similar time period last year.
Unsurprisingly, many of DOGE’s claims have been exaggerated or fraudulent. The department claimed to have cut an $8 billion ICE contract—the real amount was $8 million, The New York Times reported. An analysis from The Washington Post found that hundreds of contracts DOGE claimed to cancel were actually already finished, resulting in absolutely zero savings.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-gov … 025-02-26/Of that 710B spent, how much was to enforce the laws that Biden decided were not desirable to enforce? That Biden thought were bad laws and decided to put his own opinion above that of the people, the congress and even the Constitution?
How much? 5B? 10?Well, maybe you could do the research and let us know what the money has been spent on exactly?
I trust we have actually spent the money on thigs we needed rather than supporting an unending influx of illegal aliens.
But you're the one insinuating that we are spending frivolously. Can't you give some specifics to go with it, so we can all understand?
The article presents an overly negative perspective on Trump's fiscal policies, focusing too heavily on the immediate data points of higher government spending. It fails to consider the larger, long-term effects of his tax cuts, deregulation, and pro-growth policies. Yes, spending increased, but much of it is driven by structural factors like aging populations and rising interest payments on debt, which no administration has been able to curb effectively. Furthermore, Trump's efforts to reduce wasteful spending, such as his focus on foreign aid cuts and scrutinizing government inefficiencies, are not given enough weight. While challenges exist, it’s shortsighted to ignore his broader intentions for fiscal responsibility. Moreover, pointing to Musk’s efforts as “ineffective” dismisses the complexity of cutting waste in such a vast and entrenched system. The fact that these cuts have faced resistance doesn’t mean they lack merit, but rather underscore the difficulty of meaningful reform.
Mar 9 DOGEreport
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
More info on IAF:
In 2024, ~45% of spend went to administrative overhead. Only ~55% went to the grants, which then have multiple additional layers of overhead.
Other grants which were cancelled during the process of reducing IAF to its statutory minimum:
- $523,000 for avocado marketing in Honduras
- $770,550 for cacao farming in Peru
- $1,509,200 for seed banks in Haiti and the Caribbean
- $630,725 for fruit marketing in Bolivia
- $303,000 for artisanal weaving in Mexico
- $198,280 for agro-tourism in Saint Lucia
Department of Government Efficiency
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
The Inter-American Foundation, an agency whose primary action was to issue foreign grants ($60M budget), has been reduced to its statutory minimum (1 active employee). Examples of grants that were cancelled in the process:
- $903,811 for alpaca farming in Peru
- $364,500 to reduce social discrimination of recyclers in Bolivia
- $813,210 for vegetable gardens in El Salvador
- $323,633 to promote cultural understanding of Venezuelan migrants in Brazil
- $731,105 to improve marketability of mushrooms and peas in Guatemala
- $677,342 to expand fruit and jam sales in Honduras
- $483,345 to improve artisanal salt production in Ecuador
- $39,250 for beekeeping in Brazil
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Contract update!
On Friday, there were 162 cancellations of non-essential contracts with a ceiling value of ~$205M and savings of $90M.
This included @USDA cancelling a $10.3M unnecessary contract which, ironically, was for identifying unnecessary contracts.March 11,
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Today,
@NIH
cancelled the following grants:
- $620K for “an LGB+ inclusive teen pregnancy prevention program for transgender boys”
- $699K for studying “cannabis use” among “sexual minority gender diverse individuals”
- $740K for examining “social networks” among “black and Latino sexual minority men in New Jersey”
- $50K for assessing “sexual health” among “LGTBQ+ Latinx youth in an agricultural community”
- $75K for researching “structural racism”
9:01 PM · Mar 11, 2025
·Any fact checks on those? How many are misleading?
How about they look at SpaceX next.? Not wanting my tax dollars spent on social projects like "occupying ‘Mars’
Musk...
“The waste and fraud in entitlement spending … that’s the big one to eliminate, that’s the sort of half trillion, maybe six or seven hundred billion a year,” Musk said.
Oh yes folks, The richest man in the world is trying to convince the American people that they all deserve less.... Yes, I know I know this is what you voted for.In the category of "I love the poorly educated"...
Department of Education lays off nearly 50% of its workforce... This bunch can't shut down an agency without Congress but they sure can cripple it can't they?
Oh I'm sure this one will end well. I know, I know this is what you voted for...
Trump: Project 2025? "Never heard of it. "
Strange, isn't it, how all of his actions since taking office align perfectly with it?I’ve listened to many of Trump’s rallies, and I don’t think he ever missed mentioning his plan to dismantle the Department of Education. He made a bold statement when he said he loves the poorly educated. It’s a bit ironic, considering how poorly we score in education compared to other countries.
And how will crippling the Department of Education actually help education? After all, it's what you voted for...
"It’s a bit ironic, considering how poorly we score in education compared to other countries."
It is ironic isn't it?
There are some states that consistently perform poorly in educational attainment, such as Louisiana, Mississippi, and West Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky and Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri ... Notice a commonality?
What would our educational attainment levels and look like as a country if these states could keep up?? They're clearly bringing the averages down... My state is on par with the world, above actually. Don't think I want to be lumped with the poor performers...
And in abolishing the department of education, which states do you think will suffer most? OH WELL... I know, I know this is what you voted for.Is they ever a third world country in the USA?
Yes, actually I'd say that many parts of Mississippi rival a third world country. As do areas of Louisiana, Alabama and West Virginia.
More to applaud from DOGE, yes this is what you voted for...I know but it's really getting sick...
Education Department layoffs gut its civil rights office, leaving discrimination cases in limbo...
The Education Department’s civil rights branch is losing nearly half its staff in the Trump/Doge administration’s layoffs, effectively gutting an office that already faced a backlog of thousands of complaints from students and families across the nation.
Among a total of more than 1,300 layoffs announced Tuesday were roughly 240 in the department’s Office for Civil Rights, according to a list obtained and verified by The Associated Press.
The administration has not said how it will proceed with thousands of cases being handled by staff it’s eliminating. The cases involve families trying to get school services for students with disabilities, allegations of bias related to race and religion, and complaints over sexual violence at schools and college campuses.
Some staffers who remain said there’s no way to pick up all of their fired colleagues’ cases. Many were already struggling to keep pace with their own caseloads. With fewer than 300 workers, families likely will be waiting on resolution for years, they said."
OH WELL... Thinking that these cuts were to get rid of folks and their uncomfortable issues with disability and so on... On the positive side, maybe RFK Jr has some sort of home remedy? Cod liver oil all around. God help this country.
https://www.wcia.com/news/national/ap-u … -in-limbo/And the good news that some of you voted for just keeps coming...
"The EPA announced that it will revisit water pollution limits for coal plants, air quality standards for small particles and the mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions by large emitters like oil and gas companies, among other rules."
The EPA news release called it “the most momentous day” in the agency’s history.
Environmental advocates said the deregulation effort is unparalleled in the EPA’s 54-year history.
YAY! Can I get an amen for more crap in the air and the water?
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/epa … s-5ba4a878And the good news that some of you voted for just keeps coming...
"The EPA announced that it will revisit water pollution limits for coal plants, air quality standards for small particles and the mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions by large emitters like oil and gas companies, among other rules."
The EPA news release called it “the most momentous day” in the agency’s history.
Environmental advocates said the deregulation effort is unparalleled in the EPA’s 54-year history.
YAY! Can I get an amen for more crap in the air and the water? I know, I know it's what many have been waiting for..
The Make America Healthy Again" folks..
The EPA will also drop a lawsuit against a chemical manufacturer whose emissions fueled pollution and health problems in Louisiana's "Cancer Alley."
Thank God this petrochemical plant will get relief, right?
Soon Republicans will start denying cancer's real...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 … en-lawsuit
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/epa … s-5ba4a878A little light at the end of the sewer pipe?
A federal judge ordered President Donald Trump's administration to reinstate probationary federal workers axed last month, the biggest blow yet to Trump and billionaire Elon Musk’s scheme to massively shrink the federal government…..The courts may be the only thing this country has left to blunt Trump's actions. He is actively tanking the economy. Why aren't Republicans stopping him? |At what point will these people stand up? They know that these policies are hurting their constituents, but they simply don’t care. At some point, Republicans are going to have fear the consequences from their own voters more than they fear Trump’s wrath...right?
One just has to look at how the GOP leadership want to discourage town halls by Congressman in their respective districts. Who are they attempting to run from? It is like you say" I know, I know, but THIS is what you voted for.... I bet that he is going to cry to the Supreme Court hoping that the lackeys he appointed will go along with his rape of the Government and the Constitution. But, the Supreme Court may not be entirely in Trump's back pocket as he got a 5-4 drubbing against him last week. Roberts and Barrett as relative moderates may well be the monkey wrench in the machine toward stopping Trumps ambitions.
Yes, agency heads generally have the authority to fire probationary employees, especially as part of efforts to restructure or downsize. Probationary employees have fewer protections than permanent federal workers, meaning they can often be terminated without the same level of due process.
I think it's a fair argument, and one that the Trump administration is likely to make in its appeal. Federal agencies have broad discretion in hiring and firing, particularly with probationary employees, so unless the judge found a clear violation of law—such as firing based on political retaliation, discrimination, or an improper process—his ruling could be seen as judicial overreach.
If the administration can prove that these terminations were legally executed as part of a broader government downsizing effort, the ruling may be overturned. The executive branch has the authority to manage its workforce, and courts interfering in those decisions could raise separation of powers concerns. This will likely be a major legal battle over the limits of judicial intervention in executive decisions.
President Donald Trump, must obey the court order.
Hey, Willow
Trump just received another well deserved kick in the head...
https://news.yahoo.com/news/us-judge-sa … 50075.html
DOGE
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Other grant examples from @NIH:
- $100K for Vanderbilt University to study “social networks” among “sexual and gender minorities”
- $37K for the University of Houston to study “fear of deportation” in “Latinx young adults”
- $681K for the University of Pennsylvania to study… Read more
DOGE
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Today, @NIH cancelled the following grants:
- $620K for “an LGB+ inclusive teen pregnancy prevention program for transgender boys”
- $699K for studying “cannabis use” among “sexual minority gender diverse individuals”
- $740K for examining “social networks” among “black and… Read more
Today at 03:40 PM
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Contract update!
Over the last two days, agencies terminated 239 wasteful contracts with a total ceiling value of ~$1.7B and total savings of ~$400M, including an $8.5M consulting contract for “fiscal stewardship to improve management and program operations in order to drive… Read more
Today at 01:49 PMDOGE
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Other grant examples from @NIH:
- $100K for Vanderbilt University to study “social networks” among “sexual and gender minorities”
- $37K for the University of Houston to study “fear of deportation” in “Latinx young adults”
- $681K for the University of Pennsylvania to study… Read more
DOGE
Department of Government Efficiency
@DOGE
Today, @NIH cancelled the following grants:
- $620K for “an LGB+ inclusive teen pregnancy prevention program for transgender boys”
- $699K for studying “cannabis use” among “sexual minority gender diverse individuals”
- $740K for examining “social networks” among “black and… Read more DOGE.govAnd what do all of these mean? Do they mean exactly what they're labeled as? Or are they really quite something different in reality?
March 14, 2025 WEEKLY UPDATE --- DOGE claims cuts have saved whopping $115B, or around $700 per taxpayer --The figures were revealed in DOGE's weekly update
However, there were 163.1 million individual income tax returns in the latest tax return year of 2023, according to the IRS, meaning this would put the average saved per taxpayer at $705.09.
DOGE, which has been embraced by Republicans and derided by Democrats, says that the biggest savings have come from the General Services Administration (GSA), followed by the Education Department and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
For instance, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin on Tuesday announced that the agency is terminating $20 billion in grants awarded by the Biden administration for climate and clean-energy projects, while President Donald Trump has set about dismantling the Education Department and has announced mass layoffs at the department. DOGE cuts to the GSA include lease terminations and cuts to support and training programs.
It is unclear exactly where the bulk of the GSA cuts emanate from. The agency manages federal properties, among other services.
Fox News is unable to independently verify all the reported DOGE savings since the agency doesn’t provide a full accounting of their savings, only a partial list, due to the list grows quickly and daily.
The agencies with the least savings, DOGE says, are the State Department, followed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Energy Department.
DOGE says more than 5,350 contracts have been terminated, totaling around $20 billion in savings, while nearly 7,500 grants have been nixed, scooping $17 billion in savings.
Nearly 800 leases totaling more than 10 million square feet have been yanked, netting $500 million in lease savings.
DOGE was created by Trump through an executive order he signed on Inauguration Day. Under the order, DOGE will be a temporary organization within the White House that will spend 18 months until July 4, 2026, carrying out its mission.
The group has faced criticism over its access to federal systems, including the Treasury Department's payment system, as well as moves to cancel federal contracts and make cuts at various agencies, including the United States Agency for International Development.
Note--- I have tried to keep up as they post, but the numbers are staggering, and I am willing to wait for weekly reports. I find the waste is incredible, and the overbloating of staffing is shocking--- many agencies hire many thousands that were not required. I find following DOGE closely really gives one the facts of just how our federal agencies needed to be overhauled. Very interesting stuff."EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin on Tuesday announced that the agency is terminating $20 billion in grants awarded by the Biden administration for climate and clean-energy projects,"
EPA head announces sweeping plan to revoke dozens of environmental regulations...HOORAY!
This is what is being cut...
-power plant emissions standards
-toxic emission limits on power plants
-Reconsider wastewater rules for coal and other power plants
https://apnews.com/article/epa-zeldin-d … 43c8fba79f"I find the waste is incredible, and the overbloating of staffing is shocking--- many agencies hire many thousands that were not required".
Says who? Big balls? Are you following up in terms of the consequences of these cuts? I know this is what you voted for but it appears to be an assumption that they're cutting overstaffed or bloated agencies. But they never provide any evidence to support those claims. In this thread, I've already given many examples of programs that suffered immediate negative consequences due to the cuts.
I think I will provide at least one example a day...here you go.
"Cuts made by the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are going to affect the Montana Fair Housing organization headquartered in Butte, which will slash its annual budget by about 80 percent.
Montana Fair Housing ntervenes in discriminatory housing practices, settles tenant and landlord disputes, and other matters in the federal Fair Housing Act. Bean said she gets about 180 inquiries a month."
“Services are going to be markedly cut back, so we’ve had to really scale back what we're going to be able to do and in what time frame,” she said.
OH WEll...we know, we know this is what you voted for.
https://www.kxlf.com/news/local-news/do … ing-budgetDOGE documents its findings and promptly corrects any mistakes. Their transparency suggests an effort to be honest, as they can be held accountable for misinformation. They identify issues and report them directly to the head of the relevant agency. However, DOGE has no authority to hire, fire, or enforce changes—those decisions are solely at the discretion of the agency's leadership.
Here are just a few of the noted personnel that work with DOGE
Elon Musk: Serving as a Senior Advisor to the President and Administrator of DOGE, Musk is renowned for his roles as CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter). His extensive experience in technology and innovation aligns with DOGE's mission to modernize federal operations.
EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Katie Miller: Appointed as an Advisory Board Member of DOGE, Miller brings experience from her previous role as Communications Director to former Vice President Mike Pence. Her expertise in communications is expected to support DOGE's outreach and public relations efforts.
EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Steve Davis: A longtime advisor to Musk and CEO of The Boring Company, Davis reportedly oversees DOGE teams embedded within various federal agencies. His background in cost-cutting and operational efficiency is instrumental in implementing DOGE's initiatives across the government.
As of the latest available data, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has a headcount of 4,245 employees across 346 subordinate offices.
I noticed your post about staffing and program cuts. I’ve done some research into the staffing reductions and program impacts. Many of the staff cuts affected new hires, not all, but most of them were brought on before Biden left office. I also found that some programs, which were facing budget cuts, had unspent cash lying around. In fact, some of these programs received historically large amounts of funding under Biden. Which were greenlighted by Congress. Every president has the right to have a look see at what is being spent, and in some cases try to make changes.
I’ve mentioned this before: you often don’t dig deep enough to get the full explanation. In my view, DOGE is doing what they were hired to do, and if you want to blame anyone, blame the individuals at the very head of a given agency for the staffing cuts, and the program cuts.My post was concerning the consequences of the cuts... Which you completely sidestepped. I've dug deep enough to actually see the impact of these cuts. The real world consequences beyond the flash of the line items listed by Elon. There are real people that are impacted. But yes we know, we know this is what you voted for.
First I need to point out something--- it will help cut the hyperbolic statements. It’s important to understand that the process of implementing cuts to USDA or any Government programs isn’t something that happens overnight.
First, the President would propose the cuts as part of their annual budget, but these cuts would have to go through Congress before anything is finalized. Congress, including both the House and Senate, holds the power to approve or amend the proposed cuts. The committees that handle appropriations in Congress would review the budget, discuss the impact of the cuts, and make adjustments.
After that, both the House and Senate would need to pass the same version of the bill before sending it to the President for approval. If Congress and the President agree, the cuts could become law. At that point, the USDA or other agencies would be responsible for implementing the changes to a given program.
But keep in mind, this is a long process, and it involves input from multiple parties, including lawmakers, interest groups, and local agencies. So, while cuts have been proposed, nothing is set in stone until Congress passes the budget, and the President signs it. Perhaps when writing your comments you put them into the proper context ---" if comes"
No, I’ve made it clear—probably more than some might expect—that I believe DOGE is doing the job they were hired to do. People can say what they will about my attitude, but I always speak my mind. I trust the heads of the departments to make decisions about what gets implemented. Trump ran on the idea of cutting government costs, and I support that. I’ve been advocating for a smaller government for decades. We come from different perspectives on this issue. But I think I've made it clear that I support DOGE and hope this project works to ensure taxpayer money is being spent wisely."First I need to point out something--- it will help cut the hyperbolic statements. It’s important to understand that the process of implementing cuts to USDA or any Government programs isn’t something that happens overnight.
First, the President would propose the cuts as part of their annual budget, but these cuts would have to go through Congress before anything is finalized. Congress, including both the House and Senate, holds the power to approve or amend the proposed cuts. The committees that handle appropriations in Congress would review the budget, discuss the impact of the cuts, and make adjustments."
--------
If that is the case why were all these federal employees being fired unilaterally by Trump and Musk? Was Congress given an opportunity to weigh in before Trump starves the targeted programs of resources and personnel without the approval of Congress?Agency heads have the authority to hire and fire staff. My comment was referring to full program cuts that Congress has allocated funds for, such as discussions around cutting USDA funding. If a program were cut, it could lead to employees being reassigned or let go.
However, if a program was created by the agency head, the situation changes. While the head of a government agency has the authority to cut or alter a program or study funded by the agency’s budget without Congressional approval, there are key limitations. When discussing program cuts, staffing changes, or halting studies, the process is complex. Ultimately, if Congress has allocated funds for a program, they are the only ones with the power to eliminate it. If the study is funded through the agency's budget, the agency head has the authority to cut it.
USDA Cuts: In the case of USDA funding or any government program, while the President or federal agencies might propose budget cuts, Congress would ultimately need to approve the cuts, eliminate programs, or reallocate the funds through legislation. This is often done during the annual appropriations process.You seem to know your way around all this. Another example….
https://apnews.com/article/usaid-trump- … 5982298385
Why did Trump decimate USAID? He says that the program had a liberal agenda and so he decides that he could impound funding set in Congressionally approved program. That infuriates me.
So, it is a little more involved than moving funds between departments of Executive agencies at the discretion of Agency Heads.
I am all for improvement to try something new and different, but the Constitutions prescription regarding the appropriate separation of powers cannot be ignored at the Trump’s administration caprice. USAID funding was allocated by Congress, so were they not the entity with the power to eliminate it?
I consider Trumps actions as overreach and he needs to be severely chastised to cease and desistFrom what I've researched, Trump has massively cut down USAID, wiping out about 83% of its programs. This was all part of a bigger push by his administration, along with Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to slash federal spending by up to $2 trillion. In early 2025, Trump issued an executive order freezing nearly all U.S. foreign aid for 90 days while they reviewed everything to make sure it aligned with his "America First" policy. After that, Marco Rubio, who’s now Secretary of State, announced that around 5,200 out of 6,200 USAID programs were being shut down, with the rest getting folded into the State Department.
Legally, this got challenged pretty fast. A federal judge ruled that Trump had overstepped his authority by freezing congressionally approved funds since the power of the purse belongs to Congress. The ruling didn’t force the government to restart the canceled programs, but it did require them to release funds they still owed to aid groups. From what I understand, under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, the president can propose canceling funds, but Congress has to approve it within 45 days. Without that approval, the money has to be spent as originally intended. So, Trump couldn’t outright cancel the funds on his own—he could freeze them temporarily, but Congress had the final say.
That’s the gist of what I’ve found, but there are a lot of details and legal nuances, so I may not have every single in-and-out perfectly nailed down.
Based on my research, President Trump's cuts and the freeze on funds to USAID were driven by a belief that the agency was misusing taxpayer funds on programs that didn't align with his administration's priorities. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, identified several expenditures they deemed wasteful, such as $1.5 million for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion in Serbia, $2.5 million for electric vehicle chargers in Vietnam, and $6 million for tourism promotion in .
Based on my research, President Trump's significant cuts to USAID were driven by a belief that the agency was misusing taxpayer funds on programs that didn't align with his administration's priorities. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, identified several expenditures they deemed wasteful, such as $1.5 million for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion in Serbia, $2.5 million for electric vehicle chargers in Vietnam, and $6 million for tourism promotion in Egypt. They also criticized substantial funds aimed at discouraging Afghan farmers from cultivating opium poppies, alleging these efforts inadvertently benefited the Taliban. The list was long.
Yes USAID funding was allocated by Congress, however, it was left to the organization how the funds are spent. It appears funds were being spent unwisely. But Trump thus far has not gone against the constitution on this one. He has the right to freeze funds.
Regarding Rubio--- No, Marco Rubio, as Secretary of State, does not have the unilateral authority to cancel USAID programs. USAID operates as an independent agency under the umbrella of the State Department, but its funding is approved by Congress, and only Congress has the power to permanently cancel or redirect those funds.
What Rubio has done, as he mentioned, is restructure or consolidate programs, just shifting priorities within the agency. He can also propose cuts.to Congress.
I would like to see more transparency when it comes to USAID before making up my mind on what would be the best way to run and keep, perhaps the money going to where it was meant to go --- humanitarian aid.
The cuts to the USDA food program have already been made. Funding, already canceled.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/usda-cance … ool-meals/These programs were created during the pandemic as short-term solutions and are now being phased out as part of broader federal spending cuts. The USDA's justification is that these initiatives were funded using the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), which was originally designed to stabilize farm incomes, not to fund ongoing food assistance programs.
The funding cuts align with the Trump administration’s and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) efforts to reduce government spending and eliminate what they see as wasteful or temporary programs. Since these programs were designed as emergency measures rather than long-term solutions, the administration is shifting priorities toward "stable, proven solutions" rather than continuing pandemic-era spending.
It’s worth considering whether these cuts will impact food security in schools and local communities that have relied on them. However, if the programs were never intended to be permanent, their cancellation might have been inevitable as COVID-era funding dries up.From the USDA... No, the program was not specifically created to address any issue relating to covid...
"Through the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS), USDA will award funds to states for food assistance purchases of domestic local foods for distribution to schools and child care institutions. This program will strengthen the food system for schools and childcare institutions by helping to build a fair, competitive, and resilient local food chain, and expand local and regional markets with an emphasis on purchasing from historically underserved producers and processors."
And absolutely yes, many will suffer from the program being abolished...
https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food-t … rocessors."USDA can confirm it has provided notice to States, Territories and Tribes that the FY 2025 funding previously announced for the pandemic-era Local Food for Schools and Child Care Cooperative Agreement and pandemic-era Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement program is no longer available and those agreements will be terminated following 60-day notification," https://www.cbsnews.com/news/usda-cance … hatgpt.com
Yes, the creation of the Local Food for Schools (LFS) Cooperative Agreement Program was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was launched in 2022 as part of the USDA’s broader efforts to strengthen food supply chains that had been disrupted by the pandemic.
COVID-19 caused significant supply chain issues, making it difficult for schools and childcare centers to obtain fresh, local food. The LFS program aimed to address these disruptions by:
Supporting local and regional farmers who struggled due to pandemic-related market losses.Helping schools and childcare institutions access
fresh, nutritious, and locally sourced foods.
The LFS program was funded through pandemic-related relief initiatives and was part of the USDA’s Build Back Better efforts to create a more resilient and equitable food system in response to the challenges exposed by COVID-19.
The USDA continues to support as they did before COVID the same child nutrition programs through existing federal initiatives such as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), USDA Foods Program, and some farm-to-school initiatives. The initiative was to help with the issues COVID caused, and not meant to be permanent.
https://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.fns.usda.gov/sbp/school-bre … hatgpt.comThe AI search has conflated the national school lunch program and the LFS program.
From the Department of agriculture and cited in the CBS article...
"The USDA programs were funded through the agency's Commodity Credit Corporation, a Depression-era fund created to buy products directly from farmers."
At any rate, there is absolutely no reason to cut such a program. There isn't a state in the nation that won't be affected by this. Have you seen the coverage around the country? The impacts? Not a great look when the world's richest man cuts a food source to needy people...
"It’s worth considering whether these cuts will impact food security in schools and local communities that have relied on them."
Well that certainly would be good advice to Doge now wouldn't it? There are absolutely no considerations given to the consequences of the cuts being made. What is going on is completely reckless
More of what you voted for...
"NC farmer adjusts to challenges after USDA cuts that impacts food banks, schools: 'In disbelief..."
"It’s nerve-wracking’: South Georgia farmers and food banks react to losing USDA funding"
"$1 billion cut from USDA food programs. What it means for Pa. schools, food banks"
What the USDA’s $1B cut means for Michigan food banks, schools, farms"
"Tennessee farmers will lose millions in local food purchases after sweeping federal cuts at the U.S. Department of Agriculture led to the closure of two programs funding fresh food for schools and food banks."
Reason to celebrate? Notice the impact primarily on red States LOL... But hey y'all voted for it!"Trump Administration and Elon Musk’s DOGE Closing Social Security Offices, Harming Access to Services.."
SSA Services Are Critical, but Under-Resourced... For example, White plains New York will have it social security office closed and folks will have to travel 135 miles to the next nearest office....
Personally, I think this is going to be harmful to many but I guess that's why you voted for this??
https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare … o-servicesElon is getting rid of a program that supports affordable housing, threatening the homes of thousands of Americans.
The $1 billion Green and Resilient Retrofit Program, which maintains livable residences for low-income residents around the country, is being slashed as part of many cuts and funding freezes at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. With these cuts, poor Americans will be tossed out of hundreds of thousands of low-rent apartments, some of them in dire need of repair...
The program has already spent enough funds to upgrade at least 25,000 affordable units, and how it will be shuttered is yet to be determined. But, according to internal documents obtained by the Associated Press, the program is being “terminated” by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Yeah, I guess there's not a house in crisis right? Affordable housing is not needed... That's why you voted for this right?
https://newrepublic.com/post/192653/mus … le-housing
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