Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is preparing to expand its cost-cutting efforts after receiving new directives from President Donald Trump to investigate the Department of Education, followed by a review of Pentagon expenditures.
Trump announced the plan during an interview with Fox News, stating that Musk’s team will begin with education spending before shifting its focus to military finances. “We’re going to find billions, hundreds of billions, in fraud and abuse,” Trump said.
The Education Department has long been a subject of debate among conservatives, with calls for major reductions or even its elimination. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt recently confirmed that the administration is reviewing options for restructuring or dissolving the agency.
The Pentagon, which recently received a funding increase, has faced ongoing concerns about financial mismanagement. Despite having a budget exceeding $900 billion, the department has failed multiple audits, with reports highlighting excessive spending on contracts and procurement inefficiencies.
Musk’s work at DOGE has already led to major disruptions. His team attempted to shut down USAID, putting thousands of employees on leave while reviewing its operations. The move has faced legal challenges, with critics arguing that the agency can only be dismantled by congressional action.
Trump remains committed to using DOGE to identify areas of government waste. He said Musk’s team is “very capable” and will continue investigating spending across multiple agencies.
