Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Officially Shuts Down After Temporary Mission

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) officially shut down operations on July 4, 2026, marking the end of its temporary 18-month charter. Established by President Trump on his first day back in office, the agency was initially led by Elon Musk, who departed in May 2025. While DOGE claimed to have saved taxpayers up to $215 billion through contract cancellations and workforce reductions, critics highlighted that its deferred resignation program cost taxpayers an estimated $10 billion.

DOGE shutdown July 4

• ▪President Donald Trump established the Department of Government Efficiency through an executive order signed on January 20, 2025, with a scheduled 18-month duration ending on America's semiquincentennial.
• ▪The Department of Government Efficiency officially shut down operations on July 4, 2026, marking the end of its temporary charter.

Elon Musk government departure

• ▪Elon Musk stepped away from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency in May 2025 to focus on his private businesses.
• ▪Elon Musk's departure followed investor concerns that his government duties distracted from Tesla and that the unpopularity of the Department of Government Efficiency impacted the company.

Federal workforce reductions

• ▪The number of federal employees declined by more than 272,000 under the Trump administration due to a hiring freeze, early retirement offerings, and reductions in force.
• ▪The Office of Management and Budget reported that over 260,000 employees left the federal service in 2025 as a result of the administration's actions.

Estimated cost savings

• ▪The Department of Government Efficiency estimated it saved $214 billion through asset sales, contract cancellations, and workforce reductions, amounting to $1,329 saved per taxpayer.
• ▪The Department of Government Efficiency website estimated it terminated 13,440 contracts, 15,887 grants, and 264 leases, saving $215 billion, equivalent to $1,335.40 per taxpayer.

Deferred resignation program expenses

• ▪The deferred resignation program, which allowed nearly 140,000 federal employees to receive full pay and benefits until leaving by September 30, 2025, cost taxpayers an estimated $10 billion.
• ▪The departments of Defense, Treasury, Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and Interior saw the highest number of departures under the deferred resignation program.

Former DOGE personnel placement

• ▪Former Department of Government Efficiency programmer Edward Coristine works at the National Design Studio, which is overseen by Joe Gebbia.
• ▪Former Department of Government Efficiency employees Gavin Kilger and Sam Corcos serve as the chief data officer at the Pentagon and the chief information officer at the Treasury Department, respectively.

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