As President Donald Trump celebrates his 100th day in office, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, claims to have saved at least $160 billion from the federal budget through the reduction of waste, fraud, and abuse. Established by Trump on his Inauguration Day, DOGE has set an ambitious target of cutting $2 trillion from federal spending. In the weeks following its launch, Musk’s agency has faced scrutiny from Democrats while receiving praise from Republican circles for its controversial yet impactful initiatives.
| Article Subheadings |
|---|
| 1) Funding a former Taliban member |
| 2) Lavish Spending in Education |
| 3) Millions for ‘Sesame Street’ in Iraq |
| 4) Billions in ‘Improper Payments’ |
| 5) Cuts to DEI Spending |
Funding a former Taliban member
In one of its most notable actions, DOGE discovered that a U.S. agency had earlier engaged in questionable funding practices. Mohammad Qasem Halimi, a former Taliban member and Afghanistan’s Chief of Protocol, was awarded a $132,000 contract by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). Following this revelation, DOGE acted swiftly and canceled the contract on March 31. This decision aligns with the agency’s goal of uncovering and eliminating wasteful expenditures within the government.
Halimi’s past is controversial; he was detained by U.S. forces at Bagram Air Base for a year starting January 2, 2002, and later served various roles in Afghanistan’s government, including Minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs in 2020. DOGE officials expressed disbelief at the USIP’s actions, pointing out alleged security laxity, which was highlighted by the reported presence of firearms in the agency’s headquarters. “We found they had loaded guns inside their headquarters — Institute for Peace. This is real. We don’t encounter that in most agencies,” a DOGE staffer said.
The USIP did not respond promptly to requests for comment on the matter, highlighting growing concerns about oversight within certain government entities.
Lavish Spending in Education
Investigations conducted by DOGE revealed that school districts across the nation mismanaged $200 billion in COVID-19 relief funds, leading to unnecessary expenditures with minimal check on actual educational impact. For instance, funds were allocated for extravagant purposes such as hotel accommodations at high-end venues, like Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Reports indicate that the Granite School District in Utah spent $86,000 on hotels for an educational conference at the luxurious casino.
The audits further uncovered that some district officials allocated funds for an ice cream truck in California and swimming pool passes for students, which triggered outrage among taxpayers. In response to the scrutiny, officials from Granite School District have maintained their defense, denying any wrongdoing and asserting that their investment aimed to enhance educator participation in necessary conferences.
Musk characterized the findings as indicative of a broader trend of financial irresponsibility, stating, “They were basically partying on the taxpayers’ dollars.”
Millions for ‘Sesame Street’ in Iraq
DOGE has also highlighted the questionable allocation of funds by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), particularly its decision to grant $20 million to create a version of ‘Sesame Street’ in Iraq. This initiative, which was approved during the Biden administration, aims to promote social inclusivity and cultural understanding. The funds were awarded to a nonprofit known as Sesame Workshop.
Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa, who heads the Senate DOGE Caucus, criticized the expenditure, arguing that funds should be prioritized for pressing domestic issues rather than international entertainment projects. The production titled “Ahlan Simsim Iraq” is a controversial expenditure at a time when national debates on fiscal responsibility are paramount.
Billions in ‘Improper Payments’
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently disclosed that federal agencies have made an astonishing $162 billion in improper payments this year, showcasing a significant area of waste that DOGE aims to address. While this figure represents a decline of $74 billion from the previous fiscal year, it remains a staggering indictment of federal management. A considerable portion of this waste was focused within five major programs, most notably the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Medicare programs, which accounted for $54 billion in improper payments.
Additionally, the analysis identified that $31 billion was wasted in Medicaid, $16 billion from the earned income tax credit, $11 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and $9 billion linked to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, managed by the Small Business Administration. These findings have prompted calls for more stringent oversight and accountability measures across government agencies.
Cuts to DEI Spending
In alignment with its broader mission, DOGE has announced significant cuts to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) spending across federal agencies. Since taking office, Trump has underscored the need to prioritize meritocracy over DEI initiatives, arguing that such programs often waste taxpayer dollars. Recently, DOGE reported that over $233 million had been saved by canceling 402 redundant DEI grants, with significant cuts coming from the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation.
For instance, a $1 million grant aimed at “Antiracist Teacher Leadership for Statewide Transformation” was returned to the treasury. As federal entities engage with DOGE, similar targets for waste reduction continue to emerge, indicating a shift in priorities in federal grant management.
The Department of Defense has also signaled that it might reduce wasteful DEI programs to realize further budget efficiency, effectively aligning with the broader goals of DOGE.
| No. | Key Points |
|---|---|
| 1 | DOGE has saved $160 billion from federal waste, aiming to cut $2 trillion in total. |
| 2 | The agency identified questionable funding practices, including payments to a former Taliban member. |
| 3 | COVID-19 funds have been misused by various school districts with little oversight. |
| 4 | $162 billion in improper payments have been recorded across multiple federal programs. |
| 5 | DOGE is actively cutting DEI spending, with over $233 million saved through grant cancellations. |
Summary
In conclusion, the actions taken by DOGE under the leadership of Elon Musk have created significant waves in the federal spending landscape. With a focus on uncovering and eliminating waste, the agency has reported substantial savings, while also facing criticism for some of its controversial initiatives. As the Trump administration continues to implement its plans, many are watching closely to see how these strategies evolve and impact federal funding priorities moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is DOGE’s primary objective?
DOGE’s primary objective is to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse from the federal budget, aiming to save billions of taxpayer dollars.
Question: How has DOGE performed in its first 100 days?
In its first 100 days, DOGE claims to have saved at least $160 billion, with ambitious plans to reduce federal spending by $2 trillion.
Question: Why is there controversy surrounding DOGE’s funding choices?
The controversy stems from DOGE’s practice of pointing out seemingly irresponsible spending, such as payments to controversial figures and lavish expenditures on events, which critics view as an overreach.
