Trump Taps Elon Musk’s DOGE to Slash Government Waste

President Donald Trump has directed Elon Musk’s DOGE to uncover “hundreds of billions of dollars” in fraud and waste across Washington.

Key Takeaways: – President Trump assigned Elon Musk to lead efforts to reduce federal spending and eliminate waste. – A federal court barred Elon Musk’s DOGE from accessing sensitive Treasury records.

Musk, identified by the White House as a special government employee, has been tasked with leading efforts to reduce the federal workforce. Elon Musk’s DOGE has reported access to confidential data across various agencies. Critics argue that the initiative is effectively dismantling government departments without congressional authorization.

Trump’s directive has also placed the Pentagon under scrutiny, with National Security Advisor Mike Waltz suggesting that inefficiencies in the military’s shipbuilding process could be a focal point for DOGE. The Pentagon’s budget nears $1 trillion annually, with the most recent defense spending bill authorizing $895 billion for the fiscal year ending September 30.

A federal judge ruled on Saturday that Elon Musk’s DOGE and its members, including the tech billionaire, cannot access Treasury Department records containing sensitive personal data. U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer’s decision prohibits special government employees and external personnel from retrieving information such as Social Security numbers and bank details.

Trump denounced the ruling in an interview with Fox News, calling it “crazy” and “a disgrace.” He insisted that combating fraud, waste, and abuse is essential to restoring government efficiency.

The establishment of DOGE, which was formalized through an executive order on Trump’s first day in office, has led to major structural changes. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has already faced significant downsizing under the initiative. The legal disputes surrounding DOGE’s access to government data are expected to continue as the administration pushes forward with its cost-cutting agenda.

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