When Elon Musk led the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headlines celebrated $160–190 billion in claimed federal savings via workforce reductions, canceled contracts, and rescinded foreign aid (wikipedia.org, cbsnews.com ). Musk has since resigned, and critics point to opacity, inflated claims, and a decline in the DOGE Tracker’s visibility. Still, the core mission—saving taxpayer dollars—remains vital.
🕵️♂️ How DID DOGE Track Savings?
DOGE reported savings through its so‑called “Wall of Receipts”, listing cancelled contracts, rescinded grants, and terminated leases (wikipedia.org). According to AP, nearly 40% of contracts cancelled by DOGE “are expected to produce no savings” (pbs.org). A watchdog group, Open the Books, confirmed that only 42% of contracts and 27% of grants cited were traceable via federal databases—hardly transparent (foxnews.com).
Still, this public‑facing tracking is a model for future reforms—offering a template of how data can be used to improve accountability.
⚠️ Why DOGE Could Be Sliding
Several signs point to DOGE’s momentum fading:
Leadership vacuum: Musk’s departure, staff reshuffles at GSA, and the rise of project managers like Russ Vought and OPM’s Scott Kupor signal a shift from flashy cuts to bureaucratic caution from NYCCARS (politico.com, ft.com).
Institutional resistance: GAO and agency watchdogs report DOGE being sidelined and lack of inter-agency clearance—raising doubts about long-term efficacy.
Legal and ethical scrutiny: DOJ and AP investigations revealed Musk-linked access to Treasury systems lacking clarity and FOIA compliance, even prompting a suspicious audit (apnews.com, guardian.com).
As OPM’s Scott Kupor puts it, efficiency must be institutionalised—not reliant on high-profile personalities (thedailybeast.com).
🇦🇷 Lessons from Argentina: Chainsaw Cuts That Worked (and Hurt)
President Javier Milei in Argentina provides a real-world parallel: wielding a chainsaw to slash government spending by ~30%, firing 30,000+ public employees, cutting ministries in half, freezing infrastructure, and slashing pensions—all within ten months of taking office. The result: a primary fiscal surplus for the first time since 2008, inflation fell from 25% per month to ~2.4% on a monthly basis (elpais.com, aljazeera.com, americansforprosperity.org).
However, poverty rates doubled to ~53%, consumer spending fell 20%, and 200,000 construction jobs were lost (ap.org, phenomenalworld.org, wikipedia.org).
Argentina demonstrates that bold cuts can stabilize budgets—but only with social protections and strategic reinvestment. A refined DOGE could learn from this balance.
💰 How a Better DOGE Can Save Taxpayers Money
With the right structure, DOGE-style tools can deliver sustainable savings without chaos:
Rigorous, public datasets
Require verifiable cancellation impact. Only track actual cost avoidances—e.g., commitments avoided, not face-value of contracts.
Procurement oversight
Centralized vendor negotiation could save tens of billions annually by preventing overruns.
Fraud and improper payments
Analytical tools in IRS, DWP, and HHS could identity and block $10–20 billion in improper benefits each year.
Lease and asset reviews
Rationalising federal properties may free up $1–2 billion annually.
Program duplication elimination
GAO estimates show $100 billion+ in savings from merging or eliminating overlapping programs (wikipedia.org).
A reformed DOGE could save $50–100 billion annually—equaling $1,000–$2,000 tax relief per household, easing future fiscal burdens.
✅ Why We Must Save the DOGE
Transparency matters: Public “Wall of Receipts” may have flaws, but it set precedent for public accountability. We need better—not less.
Institutional efficiency: Without built-in dataset auditing and oversight, reform will evaporate with each administration change. Embedding DOGE in OMB or GAO secures continuity.
Global evidence speaks: Argentina’s example shows deep cuts can balance budgets—but only if done responsibly. A prudent DOGE would prioritize social welfare alongside fiscal discipline.
💡 Final Thoughts
Save the DOGE isn’t just about preserving a flashy Trump-era entity—it’s a call to maintain and refine the mechanisms that promote real savings:
Accurate, audited tracking of cancellations
Institutional backing and leadership
Balanced implementation that protects core services
If retooled effectively, DOGE can prevent waste, reduce taxpayers’ bills, and build long-term trust. Status quo skepticism is healthy—but abandonment of transparency tools would be a step backwards. The focus should be on strengthening, not dismantling, the architecture of fiscal accountability.