By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In a recent revelation, Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a government agency spearheaded by Elon Musk, was confirmed to have been terminated. OPM Director Scott Kupor stated that DOGE’s functions were absorbed by the OPM after Musk’s departure last May. Despite Musk’s initial projections of saving the government a trillion dollars, DOGE ultimately reported savings of $214 billion, an amount that may be overstated. The agency faced criticism and legal challenges, ultimately leading to debates on its efficacy and the potential loss of valuable talent due to its practices.
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DOGE “cut muscle, not fat”; 26K experts rehired after brutal cuts – and frankly, it feels like we’re picking up the pieces after a demolition crew went rogue. The chainsaw photo perfectly captures the essence of this whole ordeal: a publicity stunt, pure theater designed for headlines and social media clout. It wasn’t about efficiency or eliminating waste; it was about the spectacle. The goal wasn’t to make the government more effective, but to create a narrative. We’re talking about a political maneuver disguised as a cost-cutting measure.
The narrative crafted around DOGE was designed to make it seem like money was being saved and fraud was being eliminated. This simply wasn’t the case. Real efficiency requires a measured approach, involving detailed studies and policy reviews. The MAGA base and Musk, however, have no patience for such deliberation. This whole operation conveniently served another purpose, potentially undermining important programs and services. DOGE, in effect, was a tool to damage the federal workforce, which seems counterintuitive.
From the perspective of career federal employees, the claims of widespread government fat are often laughable. In many agencies, resources are stretched thin, and penny-pinching is a way of life. Then you have Musk, who is amassing unfathomable wealth, seemingly unaffected by the economic realities. His focus is seemingly on minimizing taxes and criticizing government spending on social programs. The irony is staggering. The next administration should prioritize ensuring that Musk doesn’t receive another dime of taxpayer money. The entire endeavor feels like a betrayal, leaving crucial data exposed, experts displaced, and agencies reeling.
DOGE might be “gone,” but its impact lingers. The team, often operating with a distinct lack of experience, did little of practical value. They installed systems designed to siphon government data directly to Musk. This dismantling seemed intended to shield Musk from investigations. The consequences are far-reaching: agencies struggling, experts not rehired, and a workforce demoralized. It’s a failure of governance, pure and simple.
The cuts were not about efficiency. The most effective parts of government, those focused on serving the public, were targeted while the DoD, which likely contained the true inefficiencies, was ignored. It was a targeted dismantling, designed to allow access to data, including potentially sensitive information like Treasury data, and to install proprietary software. The priority wasn’t streamlining but control. It was not efficiency but simply removing and diverting money to his interests, using the government as a piggy bank.
The dismantling of the established system and the undermining of dedicated civil servants is the root of the problem. Instead, a corporate approach, prioritizing short-term gains at the expense of long-term stability, was adopted. The approach prioritized appearance over function, creating a false perception of savings by firing employees. The focus was on looking good in the short term, not ensuring that the government was able to do the work it needed to do for its constituents.
This approach often resulted in the rehiring of a specific demographic, which is not surprising. The government already has accountability measures in place, and the whole situation stinks of favoritism and self-interest. The cuts were targeted at those who would challenge the plan. This was a plan to move government money to the pockets of billionaires. Workforce payroll represents a small portion of government spending. It’s like removing vital organs, not just trimming excess.
Some of those “cut” in March are still on the payroll, without having to work. This makes no sense, and is a mockery of the system. Morale is decimated, and the uncertainty has led many to seek other opportunities. It’s like watching a train wreck in slow motion, and you feel the impact. The cuts, in essence, were about removing the people who understood what Musk was doing and could have stopped it. This whole project seems like a massive scam, and a massive waste of resources and effort.
There’s the question of whether this was truly about cutting costs. It is worth noting, that, only around 10% of those cut were not rehired. There is also the reality that the average person loses a significant percentage of muscle during a weight loss journey. This chainsaw approach, as described by those in the thick of it, was reckless. It was a blunt instrument that destroyed the local economies.
Optics and headlines dominated the whole process. There was never a genuine goal of creating real accountability. It was a theft, plain and simple, and all of the data that was siphoned out of the agencies as well. The whole thing was driven by someone whose business practices reek of inefficiency. All he seems to have done is create a blight upon the companies he leads. This is a person who looks like he’s built on exploiting his workforce, and he wields a destructive power.
There are serious problems with government IT, making replacing broken equipment almost impossible. Those in the know are saying there’s a lot of red ink and a lack of resources, made worse by the disruptions. It’s a reminder of how the wrong priorities can damage essential services. The overall picture is bleak, and the whole saga leaves you wondering how something like this could have happened.
You might be lucky enough to get a few months off, but that is hardly a vacation. While the money still comes in, the anxiety can make it all but impossible to relax. The loss of productivity is felt by everyone, and the impact will be felt for years to come. The whole thing is a mess.