Elon Musk's controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has upended federal operations within its first month, implementing sweeping workforce reductions and policy changes that critics argue prioritize austerity over stability. As Trump's lead adviser, Musk directed an immediate federal hiring freeze on January 22, 2025, while ordering agencies to suspend DEI programs and remove pronoun usage from official communications.
Key actions during DOGE's opening weeks included:
- Mandating lists of expendable federal positions
- Freezing Head Start childhood program funds despite court orders
- Offering 2 million workers resignation buyouts via Musk's trademark 'Fork in the Road' ultimatum
'We took down our Pride flags. I removed any books that might be incriminating,' revealed USAID contractor Kristina Drye, describing DOGE's climate of fear during February 3 inspections.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau faced complete operational shutdowns, while 75,000 employees accepted buyouts - though some like USDA specialist Nick Detter reported being fired despite compliance. 'This isn't about efficiency,' Detter told ABC News, highlighting cases like Justine Beaulieu losing maternity benefits days before childbirth.
Musk's conflicts of interest drew scrutiny as DOGE accessed 15 agencies' data while his companies held $18B in federal contracts. 'Transparency issues don't exist here,' Musk claimed during a February 11 Oval Office briefing, despite Senator Elizabeth Warren leading protests against CFPB closures.
While DOGE reversed course on nuclear weapons staff and bird flu inspectors, fired Defense Department watchdog Robert Storch warned: 'Mass terminations without cause devalue essential oversight.' As affected workers face lapsed healthcare and uncertain futures, the long-term impacts of this unprecedented federal government overhaul remain unclear.