Trump's DOGE Disbands Eight Months Early, Ending Cost-Cutting Push

Eight months before its charter was set to expire, DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency, was disbanded, marking the quieter end of a high-profile pledge to shrink the federal government. The move reflects a strategic shift as the Office of Personnel Management takes over many of DOGE’s functions and quietly folds the initiative into ongoing government reform efforts.

OPM Director Scott Kupor acknowledged the change, stating that DOGE is no longer a centralized entity, and pointed to the transfer of its duties to the OPM. In a sign of how DOGE’s legacy is evolving, several former DOGE employees now appear to be part of the National Design Studio, a new body created by an executive order aimed at beautifying government websites. The studio is led by Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb, who was connected to DOGE during its active phase.

The project’s flamboyant start was marked by public demonstrations and social media chatter from supporters, including Elon Musk, who repeatedly touted DOGE’s aims and even used symbolic imagery to frame the fight against bureaucratic inertia. Despite early rhetoric that DOGE would deliver radical savings, critics argued the initiative produced few measurable cuts. As DOGE fades, it stands in stark contrast to the sustained, high-profile pushes that accompanied its rise.

With DOGE winding down, the broader government-wide effort to shrink agencies and streamline operations continues, albeit through different channels. The eight-month window on its charter has elapsed, and the next steps involve integrating its functions into other offices and re-tasking personnel to newer reform efforts, including user-focused improvements to online government services.

Cover image source: DOGE disbanded: Elon Musk’s Cost-Cutting Project Quietly Ended Ahead of Schedule 🔗

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