
President-elect Donald Trump has announced the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an ambitious initiative designed to overhaul federal spending, regulations, and bureaucracy. Led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, the team is seeking top-tier talent willing to work grueling hours for free to meet these lofty goals.
The group has called for “super high-IQ” candidates who can dedicate 80 or more hours a week to tedious but impactful cost-cutting efforts. According to a social media post by DOGE, “We need small-government revolutionaries, not part-time idea generators.” Resumes can be submitted through the group’s account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Elon Musk says he wants “super high IQ” workers for DOGE — but they may not be paid https://t.co/sedNp9rzOs pic.twitter.com/B0CORkHQOD
— The Independent (@Independent) November 17, 2024
DOGE’s acronym doubles as a nod to Musk’s favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Musk has emphasized the challenges ahead, stating, “This will be tedious work, make lots of enemies, & compensation is zero.” Despite these terms, he and Ramaswamy believe the initiative could fundamentally reshape government operations.
Trump described DOGE as “potentially ‘The Manhattan Project’ of our time,” stressing the potential for historic changes to government processes. Goals include dismantling bureaucratic inefficiencies, reducing wasteful spending, and restructuring federal agencies — a long-held dream of Republican lawmakers.
We will do weekly @DOGE updates via livestream
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 14, 2024
🐿️🇺🇸 @DOGE https://t.co/w7jo2SMqCH
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 17, 2024
Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, praised the move, calling the effort “long overdue.” She noted that tackling waste, fraud, and inefficiencies could save billions, even trillions, over the next decade. However, she stressed that DOGE’s efforts should extend beyond simple cuts to ensure taxpayers receive the best value for their money.
Improper payments by federal agencies have already cost taxpayers $2.7 trillion since 2003, highlighting the need for reform. A Government Accountability Office report found that fraud alone drains $233 billion to $521 billion annually from federal obligations.
“I want no pay, no awards, no recognition or fancy title. I just want America to reach greater heights.”
一 Elon Musk pic.twitter.com/Dcv4irEpDu
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) November 14, 2024
DOGE’s success may hinge on bipartisan cooperation, with MacGuineas urging leaders to work across the aisle. She emphasized the importance of Congressional support to turn recommendations into actionable reforms.
DOGE marks a bold step in Trump’s strategy to reduce the size of government — a move likely to resonate with conservatives eager to see real accountability in Washington.