The newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has quickly made its mark by reducing excessive federal spending, eliminating 85 contracts related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) valued at around $1 billion across several federal agencies within just the first 10 days of its operation.
In an announcement shared on X, DOGE confirmed the significant reduction, which impacts 24 different federal agencies, including the Departments of Education, Labor, Treasury, Defense, USDA, Homeland Security, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
“By January 29, 2025, 85 DEIA-related contracts totaling nearly $1 billion have been terminated across agencies including the Dept. of Education, GSA, OPM, EPA, DoL, Treasury, DoD, USDA, Commerce, DHS, VA, HHS, State, NSF, NRC, NLRB, PBGC, USAID, RRB, SSA, SBA, BLM, CFPB, NPS, and NOAA,” the post detailed.
This move follows the directives set by President Trump’s Executive Order on Government Efficiency, signed on Inauguration Day, which created the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to streamline federal operations and curb wasteful spending. The executive order called for an extensive overhaul of federal technology systems, eliminating bureaucratic redundancies, and cutting back on expensive diversity initiatives.
DOGE, which took over the responsibilities of the former U.S. Digital Service, has been given the mission to eliminate inefficient programs and ensure federal agencies focus on performance rather than political agendas. The department’s swift action in terminating DEIA-related contracts signals a firm commitment by the administration to reduce unnecessary government spending and prioritize efficiency.
Among the agencies impacted, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) faced one of the largest reductions, with nearly $500 million in contracts terminated. The Department of Agriculture also saw significant cuts, with over $110 million in canceled contracts. Other notable savings include:
- Department of Homeland Security: $14.9 million
- Department of Health and Human Services: $28.1 million
- Department of Labor: $7.8 million
- Department of Treasury: $25.2 million
- Environmental Protection Agency: $3 million
- Department of Education: $3.8 million
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): $45 million
Under the executive order, the DOGE initiative is set to continue its efforts in identifying and eliminating wasteful government contracts over the next 18 months. The U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization, a special task force established within the White House, will oversee additional cuts and reforms, ensuring that every taxpayer dollar spent provides meaningful value.
President Trump established the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) through an executive order, appointing Elon Musk as its administrator. While it carries the name of a department, DOGE is not a federal executive department but rather a temporary organization operating under the United States DOGE Service, which was previously known as the United States Digital Service. The main goal of DOGE is to modernize federal technology and software to improve the efficiency and productivity of government operations.
The name “DOGE” is a reference to the popular cryptocurrency, Dogecoin, which originated from the “Doge” meme featuring a Shiba Inu dog.
In a significant move, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced on Monday that 60 employees focused solely on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have been placed on administrative leave. VA spokesperson Morgan Ackley highlighted the department’s shift in priorities, stating the focus is now “laser focused on providing the best possible care and benefits to Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.” Ackley further elaborated on the department’s new approach, emphasizing their commitment to returning to the VA’s primary mission.
“We are proud to have moved away from the divisive DEI policies of the past and are refocusing on our core goal: supporting Veterans,” Ackley added. This move is part of a broader trend to realign federal agencies towards more direct, mission-oriented work, signaling a clear departure from the DEI initiatives that have recently been criticized for diverting resources away from essential services.
