DOGE, the Musk-Backed Government Efficiency Project, Quietly Shuts Down

Mohammedia – The Department of Government Efficiency, the Elon Musk–backed project that began on President Donald Trump’s first day of his second term, has been quietly shut down, ending an initiative that once promised to slash bureaucracy and overhaul federal technology. The closure comes months ahead of its original July 2026 end date.

In an interview with Reuters, Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor confirmed that the agency is no longer active.

When asked if DOGE was still operating, he answered simply, “That doesn’t exist,” adding that the project no longer functions as a centralized body.

His comments mark the first on-the-record acknowledgement that DOGE, once advertised as a sweeping force for government reform, has effectively dissolved.

Created through a January executive order, DOGE began with sweeping moves. It cut budgets across departments, eliminated positions and gained unusual authority over federal technology systems.

Musk, who was initially at the helm, promoted it aggressively at rallies and online, calling it “the chainsaw for bureaucracy.” Supporters described it as a long-awaited modernization effort, while critics accused it of overreach and chaos.

Despite its bold start, many of DOGE’s claims never received independent verification. The initiative frequently touted tens of billions of dollars in savings, yet provided no detailed public accounting.

As months passed, watchdog groups, lawmakers and former federal employees questioned the transparency and legality of its operations.

Protests erupted in multiple cities, including large demonstrations outside Tesla stores earlier this year, accusing Musk and the administration of using the project to consolidate control.

A slow unraveling behind the scenes

Tensions rose sharply in May after Musk’s split with Trump, a turning point that set off staff departures and internal fractures.

Legal challenges intensified too, particularly around DOGE’s access to sensitive government data. Several lawsuits accused the agency of bypassing established privacy and security protocols.

While some court rulings limited DOGE’s reach, others dismissed challenges on procedural grounds, leaving the landscape murky until the agency’s quiet wind-down.

Behind the scenes, federal agencies had already begun absorbing much of DOGE’s workload.

Documents reviewed by Reuters show that the Office of Personnel Management has taken over key responsibilities, and a government hiring freeze tied to DOGE has been lifted.

The move signals an attempt to stabilize operations disrupted by months of rapid restructuring.

Many former DOGE officials have since transitioned into new roles across the federal government.

Some now hold senior positions at the Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Naval Research and the State Department.

Joe Gebbia, the Airbnb co-founder who helped design DOGE’s early strategy, now leads a National Design Studio tasked with modernizing federal websites.