Trump Wants Musk to Ramp Up D.O.G.E Cuts

Elon Musk, co-founder of the Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E), issued a stern warning to employees who had yet to comply with President Donald Trump’s return-to-office mandate.

Musk, via his social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), stated that those who continued to defy the in-person work directive would be placed on administrative leave starting this week, noting they had already been given over a month’s notice.

This announcement follows Trump’s call for Musk to ramp up efforts to reduce waste and inefficiency within the federal government.

Trump, speaking on Truth Social on Saturday, commended Musk’s leadership of DOGE but emphasized the need for more aggressive cost-cutting measures.

Musk responded:

“Will do, Mr. President!”

Federal Employees Required to Return to the Office

On 20 January, President Trump’s federal workforce restructuring initiative took effect with the signing of an executive order mandating that all federal employees return to in-person work “as soon as practicable.”

The order directed department heads to dismantle remote work structures and enforce full-time office attendance.

Tensions escalated over the weekend when Musk’s D.O.G.E team emailed federal employees requesting detailed reports of their weekly work.

The email, which asked for “five bullet points” of tasks completed, met significant resistance, particularly from liberal policymakers.

FBI Director Kash Patel instructed his staff to disregard the request:

“Please pause any responses.”

As did the State Department, which insisted that employees need not report their activities outside their department’s chain of command.

Musk swiftly responded, warning that noncompliance would be treated as a resignation.

Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) said on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday:

“I don’t think this is a request that is that difficult.”

Despite pushback from various agencies, Republicans have rallied behind Musk’s efforts to eliminate inefficiencies and end remote work.

South Carolina Representative Ralph Norman emphasized the necessity of having employees physically present, noting that many government offices are operating at far less than full capacity.

D.O.G.E Realises $55 Billion Savings After Terminating Contracts

As of 17 February 2025, the D.O.G.E has generated approximately $55 billion in savings, according to its website.

These savings have been achieved through a combination of fraud detection, contract terminations, workforce reductions, asset sales, and regulatory reforms.

A key priority for the agency has been eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Notable cuts include $1.5 million allocated to DEI programs in Serbia, $70,000 for a DEI-themed musical in Ireland, and $47,000 for a "transgender opera" in Colombia.

On Sunday, the White House confirmed the dismissal of 1,600 employees at the US Agency for International Development (USAID), with nearly all remaining staff placed on leave.

These drastic job cuts have left many federal workers uncertain about their futures.