President Donald Trump has signed an executive order creating the U.S. DOGE Service (USDS). This new initiative, which will be led by billionaire Elon Musk, aims to cut federal spending, modernize government systems, and streamline federal agencies.
The USDS replaces the U.S. Digital Service, which was established in 2014 under President Barack Obama to improve the government’s use of technology.
Though its name may suggest otherwise, the USDS is not a full federal department. It will operate with around 20 staff members and serve as an advisory group rather than an independent agency.
The executive order calls for the creation of “DOGE Teams” in various government agencies. These teams, made up of at least four members, will include a leader, an engineer, a human resources expert, and an attorney. They will work alongside the USDS to carry out Musk and Trump’s vision of a more efficient government.
A key part of the plan is a government-wide “software modernization” program. This program aims to improve outdated IT systems and networks. To achieve this, the USDS will have access to unclassified agency records and software, provided it follows existing laws.
The order establishes a temporary organization, the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization, which will oversee the 18-month effort. This body will shut down on July 4, 2026, which is the deadline Trump has set for completing the initiative.
However, the project has sparked controversy and legal challenges. Critics argue that the DOGE initiative violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), which requires federal advisory groups to hold public meetings and represent a range of viewpoints. At least three lawsuits have already been filed to challenge the order.
DOGE has faced some internal setbacks as well. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who was initially set to co-lead the effort alongside Musk, left the project following disagreements with Musk. Ramaswamy is reportedly preparing to run for governor of Ohio.
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Musk has described DOGE’s potential as transformative, claiming it could cut $2 trillion from the federal budget.
He suggested this could be achieved by eliminating waste, merging redundant agencies, and shrinking the federal workforce. However, many experts consider these goals unrealistic.
There have also been discussions about reducing the size or merging major financial oversight bodies such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and Federal Reserve.
Musk has even proposed eliminating the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which oversees consumer financial laws.
While the executive order has raised hopes among supporters for a leaner government, its legal and political future remains uncertain. The next few months will determine whether this ambitious project can overcome its hurdles and reshape how the government operates.
