Trump’s DOGE Unit, Once Led by Elon Musk, Shuts Down Eight Months Early: Report

The US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — a signature initiative of President Donald Trump aimed at cutting federal spending and reducing the size of government — has been quietly dissolved, eight months before its planned end date. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) confirmed that DOGE no longer exists as a standalone department, with many of its responsibilities now absorbed by OPM.

Launched with high-profile fanfare during Trump’s second term, DOGE aggressively targeted staffing cuts, budget reductions, and program rollbacks across federal agencies. Elon Musk, who initially led the unit, frequently touted its mission online and once wielded a chainsaw as a symbol of trimming government bureaucracy. Despite the theatrics, DOGE never published detailed reports on its savings, leaving the true impact of its work unclear.

Several former DOGE members have since transitioned into other influential government roles. According to Reuters, Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia now heads a federal design studio focused on improving government websites. Zachary Terrell, who had access to federal health systems as part of DOGE, is now the chief technology officer at the Department of Health and Human Services. Rachel Riley, another former DOGE member, now leads the Office of Naval Research.

Jeremy Lewin, known for collaborating with Musk and Trump to downsize USAID, has taken charge of foreign aid programs at the State Department.

Though Trump had ordered DOGE to remain active until mid-2026, officials have been referring to the unit in the past tense for months, the report noted. The government-wide hiring freeze associated with DOGE has also ended, OPM Director Scott Kupor confirmed. However, the administration is continuing its deregulatory agenda, now relying on AI tools to identify and eliminate outdated regulations.

Meanwhile, several Republican-led states are exploring the creation of their own DOGE-style efficiency offices, even as the original federal unit fades from Washington’s landscape.