Source: Fortune
Summary
The DOGE initiative, launched by Elon Musk, aimed to cut $2 trillion in waste, fraud, and abuse, but its impact is still unclear. The program has resulted in the loss of 277,000 federal jobs, including 38% of the IRS’s Global High Wealth office staff. Despite this, federal tax revenue rose 6% last year, and AI is helping the IRS spot fraud. However, cuts to the IRS could cost up to $2.4 trillion in net foregone revenue over 10 years. In national security, DOGE targeted DEI initiatives and State Department operations, sparing major contractors like SpaceX. Trump’s 2027 budget calls for a 40% increase in military spending, but some worry that DOGE cuts have reduced cybersecurity readiness.
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The strategy enters a familiar phase.
DOGE’s impact on taxes and national security is still unclear, but one thing is certain: the program has resulted in significant job losses and budget cuts. The IRS has lost a quarter of its staff, and the Global High Wealth office has lost 38% of its staff. Despite this, federal tax revenue rose 6% last year. In national security, DOGE targeted DEI initiatives and State Department operations, sparing major contractors like SpaceX. Trump’s 2027 budget calls for a 40% increase in military spending, but some worry that DOGE cuts have reduced cybersecurity readiness. The net impact of DOGE may never be fully calculated.
The announcement sounds familiar: a program launched with a goal of cutting waste and abuse, only to result in significant job losses and budget cuts.
Author: Evan Null
