The U.S. government’s Department of Government Efficiency, widely known as DOGE, has come to an early and mostly unannounced end. Created in January during Trump’s second term, the initiative was supposed to run until July 2026.
Instead, it quietly shut down eight months early, despite launching with heavy publicity and strong social-media promotion from Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
A Bold Start That Quickly Faded
DOGE was promoted as a major push to reduce government waste, and the administration highlighted it as a major win. Even as criticism grew, Elon Musk insisted the department was “extremely transparent” and delivering real savings.
But after his public fallout with Trump earlier in the year, Musk distanced himself from Washington. By May, he had effectively stepped away from the project. He has not publicly commented on DOGE’s shutdown, but his silence strongly suggests he no longer supports or participates in it.
Musk had previously posted frequent updates on X and even lifted a chainsaw onstage at CPAC, calling it a symbol of cutting government bureaucracy. DOGE claimed it saved tens of billions in federal spending, but analysts pointed out there was no clear public accounting to verify those claims.
Over time, the effort slowed. By early autumn, Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor confirmed what many already suspected: DOGE “doesn’t exist” anymore and is no longer operating as a separate unit. The OPM has since absorbed many of its responsibilities.
Staff and Projects Move Into Other Agencies
Although DOGE as an agency is gone, many of its key figures remain in government roles. Joe Gebbia, Airbnb co-founder and a key DOGE contributor, now leads the National Design Studio, which aims to improve the design of federal websites. Other former DOGE staff have shifted into senior positions across health, defense, and foreign-assistance departments.
Amy Gleason, who briefly served as acting head of DOGE, is now an adviser at Health and Human Services. Zachary Terrell has become chief technology officer in the same department, and Rachel Riley has moved to the Office of Naval Research. These transitions show that although DOGE was dissolved, its personnel were quickly absorbed into established agencies.
Crypto Market Reaction
Analyst Kautious notes that the shutdown of DOGE has created mixed reactions across markets. The closure is raising concerns about contract cuts, foreign aid reductions, and risks for federal contractors. It has also triggered political backlash over DOGE’s aggressive policies. The news has spilled over into crypto discussions too, as the DOGE shutdown unexpectedly draws attention back to Dogecoin’s speed and payment use cases, possibly adding short-term volatility.
What Comes Next?
Even though DOGE is gone, some of its goals remain. The White House is still exploring ways to cut federal regulations, and AI-based reviews of government rules are underway. Musk has also been spotted back in Washington, attending a White House dinner with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The fast rise and quiet fall of DOGE leave behind a mixed legacy ambitious in vision, dramatic in presentation, but ultimately short-lived in execution.
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