US federal agencies targeted by DOGE

In 2025, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have been tasked with "modernizing federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity".^[1] Elon Musk and a network of operatives have taken control of information systems to terminate contracts, facilitate layoffs, and shut down federal agencies.^{[2][better source needed]} Mass layoffs of federal workers followed. Many public records were modified or removed from federal websites and databases. These actions have fostered a response by federal workers, civil society, and the public.

DOGE has terminated contracts for climate change initiatives, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), environmental, health, and safety protections, consumer protections, international aid, science research, whistleblower protections, and government oversight.

Overview

Wall Street Journal found that, in February, 2025, the units most affected by DOGE contract terminations were: the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Human and Health Services (HHS), Social Security Administration (SSA), the Department of Education (Ed), and General Services Administration (GSA).^[2]

According to an analysis by GovSpend in April using Fedmine, which derives its contract data from the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), the leading agencies in terms of total dollars de-obligated are the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), followed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and HHS; in terms of the number of actions, GSA leads by far, followed by DHS and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).^[3]

On May 8, Public Citizen searched through Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website and built a list of 32 cabinet and large independent agencies where DOGE was involved; Elon Musk has business interests in shaking off 23 of them.^[4]

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is the largest office[a] within the Executive Office of the President of the United States (EOP). OMB's most prominent function is to produce the president's budget,[2] but it also examines agency programs, policies, and procedures to see whether they comply with the president's policies and coordinates inter-agency policy initiatives.

Russell Vought is the current director of the OMB since February 2025.

United States Digital Service (USDS)

On January 22, DOGE was interviewing USDS employees.^[5]

Executive departments

Agriculture (USDA)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture aims to meet the needs of commercial farming and livestock food production, promotes agricultural trade and production, works to assure food safety, protects natural resources, fosters rural communities, and works to end hunger in the United States and internationally.

Newly confirmed USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins revealed that DOGE has been at the agency for "a few weeks", welcomed their efforts, and expected full compliance from USDA teams, while farmers and policymakers raised concerns about the funding freeze.^[6] A few farmers expressed their anger on TikTok, one of them worrying about losing his farm.^[7]

DOGE actions at the USDA have impacted the United States national response to the 2020–2025 H5N1 outbreak, after staff working on the crisis were summarily fired.^[8]

DOGE fired the 300 scientists who were maintaining the 600,000 genetic lines of some 200 crop species at the National Plant Germplasm System; a temporary retraining order reinstated some of the 300 scientists.^[9]

DOGE has been reviewing Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans.^[10]

Defense (DOD)

The Department of Defense coordinates and supervises the five U.S. armed services, to protect the security of the country.^[11]

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed that DOGE had begun the process of staff and spending cuts to impact the Department of Defense and United States Armed Forces.^[12] As of March 6, 2025, the cuts in staff are expected to impact up to 8% of its civilian workforce, or 61,000 employees.^[13]

Education (ED)

The Department of Education provides money to public schools and manages college financial aid and federal student loans. ED also enforces civil rights laws in schools and support programs to help students with disabilities.^[14]

On January 31, about 100 ED employees who had taken required diversity training during Trump's first term were placed on paid administrative leave.^[15][16][17]

By February, DOGE had access to data on federal student aid, including the personal financial information on the more than 42 million people who receive student loans from the government.^[16][18] In early Feb, DOGE staff fed sensitive data from ED into an AI through Microsoft Azure to cut any spending, including contracts, that is "not essential to operations or required by law."^[16]

On February 10, ED researchers and contractors were told to stop work on 169 contracts funded by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). The funding totaled $881 million, including contracts involving student resources that were in-progress. The IES funds research to examine the effectiveness of current education policies and systems. Many contractors involved in maintaining the research database were also terminated. The institute is "all but shut down."^[19][20][21]

On February 17, a federal judge allowed DOGE to maintain access to ED data while a privacy lawsuit, filed by representatives of college students, went through the courts.^[22] It was reported in the court filing that least one DOGE employee with access to ED's internal systems had not yet completed required ethics and security training.^[23]

On February 26, ED stopped accepting and processing all income-driven repayment plans and consolidation applications for at least 3 months. Such plans are designed to keep payments affordable for student borrowers, and provide a path to student loan forgiveness.^[24][25]

On March 11, it was reported that ED would lay off "about 50%" of its workforce, about 2,200 workers.^[26]

DOGE is planning to replace ED contractors with an AI chatbot to answer questions from students and parents, with future plans to cut support website and call center funding by 80%.^[18] ED has claimed that reducing call center funding by 38% could result in a "severe degradation" in services for "students, borrowers, and schools." DOGE members include Adam Ramada, Alexandra Beynon, and Brooks Morgan.^[27]

Energy (DOE)

United States Department of Energy (DOE) oversees U.S. national energy policy and energy production, research and development of nuclear power, the military's nuclear weapons program, nuclear reactor production for the United States Navy, energy-related research, and energy conservation.

The DOE secretary Chris Wright, against guidance of the DOE's General Counsel and chief information officers, allowed Luke Farritor of DOGE to access DOE computer networks.^[28] CNN quoted DOE staff in the general counsel and chief information offices as calling Farritor's access a "bad idea", and that "He's not cleared to be in DOE, on our systems."^[28]

Luke Farritor of DOGE was given access to computer systems of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the department responsible for the security and protection of American nuclear technologies and nuclear weapons, by United States Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright, against guidance of the DOE's general counsel and chief information offices.^[28] On February 13, hundreds of NNSA employees were abruptly fired; the agency sought to rehire the workers the next day. An Energy Department spokesperson said fewer than 50 were fired.^[29][30]

National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

The National Nuclear Security Administration is responsible for safeguarding national security through the military application of nuclear science.

On February 13, 350 NNSA employees who secure and guard America's nuclear arsenal, including about 100 employees of Pantex, the primary United States nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly facility,^[31][32] were fired due to DOGE.^[33] The next day, all but 28 of those firings were rescinded by NNSA acting director Teresa Robbins.^[33]

Health and Human Services (HHS)

The Department of Health and Human Services was created to protect the health of the U.S. people and provide essential human services.

DOGE gained access to financial systems at HHS as well as extremely restricted medical data related to most Americans in heavily access-controlled systems such as the Healthcare Integrated General Ledger Accounting System (HIGLAS).^[34] HIGLAS is described by the Washington Post as "a vast database that touches nearly every corner of American health care", and that restricted staff with access undergo mandatory specialized training for privacy protections under the federal law Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).^[34] The Washington Post noted it was unknown if DOGE operatives were HIPAA compliant under federal law.^[34]

On March 3, HHS employees were told they could apply for early retirement over the next ten days. They were also instructed to comply with DOGE's emailed request to list their accomplishments from the past week, but to do so without revealing sensitive information.^[35]

In April, DOGE froze billions in healthcare grants, to review them under a program it called "Defend the spend". ^[36]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's main goal is the protection of public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease, injury, and disability in the US and worldwide

The Washington Post reported on February 5 that DOGE had sought access to data at the CDC,^[34] and that DOGE had gained access to key payment and contracting systems at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).^[37] CMS officials as of February 6 declined to reveal to what medical and financial records of Americans that Musk had gained access.^[38]

DOGE fired the Coal Workers Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) team and most of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) engineers, staff, and other scientists.^[39]

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the control and supervision of food safety, tobacco products, dietary supplements, pharmaceutical drugs (medications), vaccines, animal foods & feed, veterinary products, and similar products.

DOGE agents fired staff from the FDA involved in ongoing clinical trials of the safety of Elon Musk's Neuralink company, which creates implantable brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) as commercial products.^[40]

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is the United States federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury, illness, disability, and death.

On April 1, over two-thirds of employees at the agency were notified of termination.^[41] The notice caused a number of lab animals to be abandoned and later euthanized, disruption to a study looking into the causes of firefighter cancer, and disruption to health care to emergency personnel of the World Trade Center terrorist attacks.^[41]

Homeland security (DHS)

By May 5, DOGE was at the Office of Biometric Identity Management.^[42]

On February 9, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said that DOGE had access to her agency's data, including that of federal disaster aid recipients’ personal information.^[43]

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency coordinates the response to disasters that occur on American soil, when local and state resources are overwhelmed.

A DOGE team accessed to FEMA Go, a database that contains the private and sensitive information of tens of thousands of disaster victims. Edward Coristine was given an FEMA badge on February 5.^[44]

On February 10, Musk incited Republican outrage by posting on X about Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding of migrant shelter hotels in New York City. He said DOGE had discovered the funding, and falsely asserted that the funds were intended for disaster relief but had been illegally redirected to house migrants in "luxury hotels". The funds had been appropriated by Congress in 2024 under FEMA's "Shelter and Services Program" created by Congress in 2023, and they are separate from disaster relief funds.^[45][46][47] A few hours after Musk's post, Cameron Hamilton, the acting head of FEMA, said FEMA stopped payments under a variety of grant programs, and has given DOGE full access to FEMA's financial management system.^[48]

Musk's false allegation led the Department of Homeland Security to fire four FEMA employees that day, including the CFO, alleging they were "deep state activists". The next day, homeland security secretary Kristi Noem said she had "clawed back the full payment that FEMA deep state activists unilaterally gave to NYC migrant hotels". The city comptroller confirmed that $80 million had been withdrawn from the city's bank account.^[45][46][47]

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

DOGE initiated changes to the budget that impacted the National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program the same week that Trump celebrated K9 Veterans Day; vet visits and food supplies had been suspended.^[49]

Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

The Department of Housing and Urban Development administers federal housing and urban development laws.

On February 26, ProPublica reports that DOGE gained access to a HUD system that contains confidential information about alleged victims of housing discrimination, including victims of domestic violence.^[50] Information includes medical records, financial files, documents that may list Social Security numbers and other private information. Records in this database are generally not anonymized.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA)

The Federal Housing Administration within HUD provides insurance for mortgages originated by private lenders for various types of properties, including single-family homes, multifamily rental properties, hospitals, and residential care facilities. FHA mortgage insurance serves to safeguard these private lenders from financial losses.

On February 18, 2025, it was revealed DOGE began to eliminate 50% of the staff of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), beginning with jobs related to FHA insured loans, that overwhelmingly benefit lower-income Americans.^[51][52]

Office of Field Policy and Management (FPM)

On May 18, all employees at the General Schedule 13-level and below in the Office of Field Policy and Management, the office which supports HUD goals and operational capacity across its regional field offices, will be terminated.^[13]

Interior (DOI)

The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) is an executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for the management and conservation of most federal lands and natural resources.

In late January 2025, employees of the Department of Government Efficiency flew to California to order the release of water from the Jones Pumping Plant near Sacramento, but they were not successful.^[53] The Jones Pumping Plant is part of the United States Bureau of Reclamation, which is a bureau of the Department of the Interior. This is likely related to the 2025 California wildfires and the 2025 water release from Lake Kaweah and Lake Success publicity stunt.

In March 2025, DOGE sought access to a federal payment system within DOI, resulting in senior leaders to express concerns to Secretary Doug Burgum and then put on administrative leave.^[54]

In April 2025, Secretary Doug Burgum gave DOGE representative Tyler Hassen authority over DOI department and bureaus to lead a consolidation effort.^[55][56]

National Parks Services (NPS)

DOGE plans to terminate the lease of Utah's National Parks' central hub, which could displace hundreds of employees, NPS vehicles, and archaeological artifacts.^[57]

State (DOS)

The United States Department of State (DOS), or simply the State Department, is an executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for the country's foreign policy and relations.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared himself acting administrator of USAID, following the dismantling of the independent agency.^[58] In April 2025, Jeremy Lewin, a member of DOGE, took over as acting administrator for the State Department foreign assistance.^[59]

Treasury (USDT)

The Treasury Department collects all federal taxes through the Internal Revenue Service; manages U.S. government debt instruments; licenses and supervises banks and thrift institutions; and advises the legislative and executive branches on matters of fiscal policy

On January 31, multiple sources reported that David Lebryk, a top Treasury Department career civil servant, was pushed out after he refused to grant DOGE access to a system that disburses over $5 trillion in payments annually, including Social Security, government paychecks and contractor payments. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent granted DOGE access to the system later that day.^[60][61][62] The New York Times described it as a possible attempt by Trump to "unilaterally restrict disbursement of money approved for specific purposes by Congress" following his earlier funding freeze.^[63][64]

The Financial Times reported on February 2 that Musk responded to an X post by former Trump national security advisor Michael Flynn, who posted a spreadsheet image purportedly showing federal grant payments to Global Refuge, a faith-based charity that provides services to legal migrants. Without citing evidence, Flynn asserted there was a money laundering operation involved, and that there were many other organizations "cashing in on our hard-earned money".^[65] Musk replied that DOGE "is rapidly shutting down these illegal payments".^[66] He later asserted that "career Treasury officials are breaking the law every hour of every day by approving payments that are fraudulent or do not match the funding laws passed by Congress".^[67]

On February 4, a Treasury Department official wrote to federal lawmakers that a DOGE agent, Tom Krause (who is also CEO of Citrix Systems) was restricted to "read-only" access to the Treasury payments system, preventing "payments for obligations such as Social Security and Medicare to be delayed or re-routed", though Wired reported that another member of Musk's team, Marko Elez, had acquired unrestricted access to some Treasury systems, and had been making "extensive changes" to the codebase of the payments system, with limited supervision. Democratic senator Ron Wyden, ranking member of the finance committee to whom the letter was sent, said it "reeks of a cover-up".^{[68][69][70][71]} Senior Treasury officials stated in February 11 federal court filings that the department had "mistakenly" and "briefly" granted Elez "read-write" access enabling him to alter the system;^[72] the Trump administration said in its court filings that an internal investigation had shown that Elez did not take unauthorized actions despite being able.^[73]

Radio France Internationale wrote about DOGE's group entry into the federal government:

"One of them now has direct access to the US Treasury computer system responsible for virtually all government payments. That is, taxpayers' tax returns, civil servants' salaries. That's billions of dollars that this young engineer can now manage, under the sole supervision of Elon Musk."^[74]

On February 5, NBC News reported that attorneys for the Justice Department had agreed to temporarily restrict staffers associated with DOGE from accessing information with the Treasury Department. This change came after a lawsuit was filed by a group of union members and retirees against the Treasury Department.^[75] This left Elez and Krause in place, but with a restriction not to disclose information to anyone outside the Treasury. Elez resigned on February 6 after The Wall Street Journal reported on deleted social media posts where he explicitly identified himself as a racist and advocated for eugenics and against inter-ethnic marriage.^[76]

A coalition of nineteen states, mostly Democratic-led, filed suit in a Manhattan federal court on February 7 seeking to stop DOGE from accessing the payments system.^[77] Hours later, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting DOGE from accessing data on the payment system and ordered any data downloaded by unauthorized people since January 20 to be destroyed. The judge scheduled a hearing for February 14.^[78] The judge in that hearing extended the injunction pending a later decision and a final ruling, which might take months.^[79]

DOGE said in February that it had discovered a tracking code was often missing in Treasury payments, rendering about $4.7 trillion in payments nearly impossible to trace. That figure would represent nearly 70% of total 2024 federal spending.^[80] Musk said he was told that over $100 billion in entitlements payments a year were being made without a Social Security number or a temporary identification number, and he was told that about $50 billion was "unequivocal and obvious fraud."^[81]

Bullion Depository (Fort Knox)

See also: Federal Reserve Bank of New York Building § Gold vault

DOGE began efforts to gain physical access to the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox.^[82] As of 31 July 2020^[update], Fort Knox holds 147.34 million troy ounces (4,583 metric tons) of gold reserves with a market value of US $290.9 billion, representing 56.35% of the gold reserves of the United States.^{[83][84][needs update]} Musk reportedly insisted on a "live video walkthrough" of the secure United States Army facility.^[82] Non-authorized personnel have only been given access to the gold depository three times in history, in 1943 for Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 1974 for members of Congress, and in 2017 for then-Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and another Congressional delegation.^[82]

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is responsible for collecting U.S. federal taxes and administering the Internal Revenue Code. Their duties include providing tax assistance to taxpayers; pursuing and resolving instances of erroneous or fraudulent tax filings; and overseeing various benefits programs, including the Affordable Care Act.

On February 13, Sen. Ron Wyden announced that DOGE was at the IRS; an email was sent to the agency beforehand, asking officers to identify all "non-essential" contracts for termination.^[85] CNN reports that Gavin Kliger visited the agency and made a series of requests.^[86] Sources say that they included enforcement, personnel footprint, and extensive system access.^[87] Kliger would be named a senior advisor to the acting IRS commissioner.^[88][89][90]

By February 16, DOGE was seeking access to a highly sensitive and tightly controlled IRS system containing taxpayer information. In April, IRS committed to sharing data to support the DHS deportation effort.^[91]

6,700 probationary employees have been fired from the IRS, per order by Trump and DOGE.^[92] Elon Musk tweeted "deleted" in reference to the group behind the Direct File pilot and in April, it was announced the program will not continue.^[93][94]

DOGE members pressured IRS to hand over sensitive taxpayer data access to immigration agencies.^[95]

Transportation

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The Federal Aviation Administration regulates civil aviation in the United States and surrounding international waters. They oversee air traffic control, certification of personnel and aircraft, setting standards for airports, and protection of U.S. assets during the launch or re-entry of commercial space vehicles.

In the wake of the 2025 Potomac River mid-air collision, United States secretary of transportation Sean Duffy announced on February 5 that DOGE would intervene with the FAA to "upgrade our aviation system".^[96] Elon Musk directly expanded on this, claiming support of President Trump to "make rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system".^[96] Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton was critical of DOGE's FAA safety involvement, noting that many DOGE staff were not old enough to rent a car in the United States.^[96] On February 17, it was confirmed hundreds of FAA safety officials were fired that day by Elon Musk.^[97] David Spero, President of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, was critical of the national safety impacts caused by Musk, saying:^[97]

"Staffing decisions should be based on an individual agency's mission-critical needs. To do otherwise is dangerous when it comes to public safety. And it is especially unconscionable in the aftermath of three deadly aircraft accidents in the past month."^[97]

Musk's SpaceX staff appeared at the FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center on February 17, 2025, and Sean Duffy confirmed that per Donald Trump, Musk's staff would be in control of America's air traffic control systems.^[98] The Independent made note of ongoing fines, conflicts and litigation between Musk and the FAA, creating conflicts of interest for Musk.^[98]

Veterans Affairs (VA)

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides lifelong healthcare services to eligible military veterans. Other VA benefits include disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, education assistance, home loans, and life insurance.

On February 5, 2025, it was disclosed the DOGE operatives had accessed computer databases and medical records at the Department of Veterans Affairs, with internal VA reports that DOGE was "data mining" disability compensation and benefits of United States Armed Forces military veterans.^[99]

Independent agencies

AmeriCorps

DOGE has put AmeriCorps leadership^[100] and almost all of its staff^[101] on leave in mid April.

DOGE's cuts at the Army Corps has led to the closing of more than 425 Pennsylvania campsites.^[102]

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is responsible for consumer protection in the financial sector.

On November 27, 2024, Musk proposed eliminating the CFPB.^[103][104] On February 1, 2025, Trump agents fired CFPB Director Rohit Chopra.^[105] Chopra was replaced by Trump insider and Project 2025 advocate Russell Vought, who attempted to shutter and close the CFPB.^[105] Musk tweeted "CFPB RIP" on February 7.^[105] Concurrently, data and websites related to the CFPB were removed from the internet.^[105]

On February 14, 2025, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson commanded Donald Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE stand down on any attempts to reduce staffing, remove funding, delete any data, or otherwise interfere with operations of the CFPB.^[105] Berman Jackson's order specified that they "shall not delete, destroy, remove, or impair any data or other CFPB records" and "It is further ordered that Defendants shall not terminate any CFPB employee, except for cause."^[105] Multiple unions, groups and individuals filed a variety of lawsuits challenging any attacks on the CFPB, whose existence is governed and established in federal law by the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and can only be removed by changes in federal law.^[105]

On March 28, 2025, the judge issued a temporary injunction that ordered Trump administration to stop dismantling the CFPB and reinstate all terminated employees.^[106] Amy Berman Jackson wrote in the order, "There is a substantial risk that the defendants will complete the destruction of the agency completely in violation of law well before the Court can rule on the merits, and it will be impossible to rebuild."^[106]

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

On February 12, Grist reported that the Trump administration started to shrink the Environment Protection Agency (EPA);^[107] nearly 170 employees at the EPA's Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights were placed on paid administrative leave.^[108]

During a cabinet meeting, President Trump said he expected 65% of the EPA workforce, nearly 11,000 employees, would be let go. Subsequently, EPA and Whitehouse spokespeople declined to reinforce this statement.^[13] EPA staff members have been directed to submit to DOGE a one-page justification of any expense over $50,000 between 3 and 6 pm Eastern time, in addition to other paperwork normally used for expenses.^[109]

General Services Administration (GSA)

The General Services Administration helps manage and support the basic functioning of other federal agencies, including managing federal real estate and technology.

At the end of January, Musk's group took over GSA. Wired magazine reported "an effort to use IT credentials from the Executive Office of the President to access GSA laptops and internal GSA infrastructure".^[110] Workers at GSA's Technology Transformation Services (TTS) were summoned to meetings with young, inexperienced engineers who recently worked at Musk's companies.^[111] In the meetings, the TTS employees were required to present and defend code they had written. Some of the interviewers did not have government email addresses and refused to give their names.^[112] A Musk employee, Thomas Shedd, was appointed to lead TTS. In a TTS all-hands meeting on February 3, Shedd announced that GSA would now operate "like a startup software company", switching to an "AI-first strategy" including writing software with "AI coding agents".^[113][114] Shedd told TTS employees to expect a reduction in staff.^[115] In mid-February, GSA laid off dozens of TTS employees, including technical staff in the Presidential Innovation Fellows and U.S. Digital Corps programs.^[115]

On February 18, ProPublica reported that Stephen Ehikian, the new acting administrator of GSA, has appointed Frank Schuler as senior adviser.^[116] While Schuler has been coordinating with DOGE team member Nate Cavanaugh, his employment status remains unknown.^[116] Schuler has for years been promoting and profiting from "syndicated conservation easements", a tax-shelter scheme that financial authorities tried for years to shut down.^[117] Two weeks after Stephen Ehikian was appointed to head GSA, his brother Brad Ehikian submitted a bid to buy a 17-acre facility in Silicon Valley from GSA at a large discount. The GSA's inspector general is investigating "allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct" in the attempted purchase.^[118]

Also on February 18, a long-time GSA employee resigned rather than be forced to give Thomas Shedd administrator access to Notify.gov, a government text message service that contains sensitive personal data for members of the public.^[119] It could have been a violation of the Federal Information Security Modernization Act to grant Shedd this access without a written justification and an update to the program's security plan; the GSA employee was "instructed to skip that process" by Shedd.^[120] On March 1, the entire 18F office was eliminated "under direction from the White House",^[121] weeks after Elon Musk claimed the "group was deleted."^[122] Musk and DOGE have also focused on the Public Building Service (PBS) as they target offices to RIF. 600 employees were laid off on March 3 and on March 5, in one of PBS regions, RIF notices were sent to 165 out of 178 employees.^[13] RIF notices have also been sent to some employees within the Office of Human Resources and the Office of Customer Experience.^[13]

In March, 2025, GSA briefly released a list of over 440 federal properties that could be sold off on the website.^[123] GSA has also sent out over 800 lease termination notices, followed by 117 letters rescinding some of them.^[123]

On March 20, 205, GSA head Stephen Ehikian stated "there is no DOGE team at GSA" although a DOGE team including Davis has taken up offices at GSA, as required by the executive order establishing DOGE.^[124] Politico reported on March 6, 2025, that DOGE workers have set up at least four rooms for sleeping in the GSA building on 18th and F.^[125] The New York Times reports a number of DOGE members at GSA.^[126]

Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

DOGE staff met with agency leaders on March 20; the next days, organizations funded by the IMLS received notifications that their grants were terminated, effective immediately.^[127] Nearly all IMLS employees were put on leave.^[128][129]

Millennium Challenge Corporation

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a bilateral United States foreign aid agency established by the U.S. Congress in 2004. It is an independent agency separate from the State Department and USAID. It provides grants to countries that have been determined to have good economic policies and potential for economic growth.

In April 2025, members of DOGE had a series of meetings with MCC senior leadership.^[130] On April 23, 2025, MCC staff were informed that DOGE will shrink the organization and grants across the world within the next several months.^[130] According to reporting by the New York Times, it's anticipated that MCC will be reduced to the minimum required by law.^[131]

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

The National Archives and Records Administration is charged with the preservation and documentation of government and historical records. It is also tasked with increasing public access to those documents that make up the National Archives.

404 Media reported that, at an all-hands meeting of all NARA employees on February 4, Deputy Director Jay Bosanko stated that the agency had not received "any requests" from DOGE, that DOGE is not currently "looking to gain access" to National Archives systems, and stated there may be "unique opportunities to work with DOGE" to benefit the National Archives in the future.^[132]

National Science Foundation (NSF)

Science reported that DOGE entered the NSF on April 14; a few days later, the NSF announced the termination of $1 billion in grants it already awarded.^[133] DOGE members Rachel Riley, former McKinsey consultant, Zachary Terrell and Luke Farritor were granted system access by April 22.^[134] On May 9, a memo was sent to announce reductions in force, plans to require in-person work, and the elimination of the Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM.^[135]

Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

The Office of Personnel Management manages the United States federal civil service, providing federal human resources policy and supports healthcare, life insurance and retirement benefits for federal government employees, retirees, and their dependents.

Musk's team seized control of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on January 20.^[136] They moved sofa beds into the fifth-floor director's office of the agency's headquarters. Musk's aides locked OPM workers out of computer systems which contain personally identifying information of millions of federal employees.^[136]

After the takeover of OPM, federal employees across the country received emails asking them to turn in colleagues working on diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) initiatives to OPM via a "DEIAtruth" email address.^[137]

On February 4, two anonymous federal employees filed suit in federal court alleging the DOGE team had unlawfully installed a private server on the OPM network, seeking a restraining order to have it removed.^[138] On February 22, an email OPM's domain was sent to all federal employees asking what they accomplished in the past week. Several departments have instructed their employees to not respond to the email.^[139]

On February 13, all probationary staff at OPM (about 100 people) were "fired on a conference call."^[140]

On February 21, OPM laid off nearly the entirety of the Office of Procurement Operations (57 employees). It was claimed that the functions of the office would be transferred to the General Services Administration. The office supported functions across the federal government which included "human resources, training, communications, retirements and separations and health insurance benefits.^[141]

In late February 2025, Employees in OPM's Human Capital Data Management and Modernization office, its privacy, Chief Technology Office and Freedom of Information Act office were also subject to RIFs, although some employees were spared.^[13]

On April 18, 2025, an innovation and human-centered design team, the Lab at OPM, working on government efficiency and tackling complex issues was eliminated.^[142]

Peace Corps

Chief executive Allison Greene sent a second "fork in the road" buyout offer to its employees on April 28 after having received a DOGE assessment of the agency; DOGE member Bridget Youngs visited the headquarters and requested financial records. ^[143]

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

In April 2025, it was reported that a DOGE team led by Eliezer Mishory was seeking information from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission,^[144]

Social Security Administration (SSA)

The Social Security Administration administers Social Security, the largest government program in the United States. It is a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability and survivor benefits.

On the weekend of February 17, acting head of SSA Michelle King resigned after denying DOGE staffers access to private financial records of American citizens and Social Security recipients.^[145]

With Trump in the Oval Office days earlier, Musk asserted the SSA database included beneficiaries aged 150 years, later claiming that more than a million were aged 150 to 159, and dead people were collecting payments. Musk said the SSA could be "the biggest fraud in history." DOGE had misunderstood certain aspects of SSA operations, including how birth dates are handled on the antiquated COBOL-based computer system. Former SSA commissioner Martin O'Malley said the Musk allegations were false.^{[146][147][148]}

Nancy Altman, of advocacy group Social Security Works, said of the data access, "If there is an evil intent to punish perceived enemies, someone could erase your earnings record, making it impossible to collect the Social Security and Medicare benefits you have earned."^[149]

On February 25, 2025, SSA acting commissioner Leland Dudek announced that the agency was closing its Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity, reassigning its statutory responsibilities to other offices.^[150][151] This office was closed by early March.^[13]

SSA also closed its Office of Transformation as of early March.^[13]

SSA acting Administrator Leland Dudek plans to lay off 7,000 employees in total.^[13]

United States Access Board

DOGE met with the United States Access Board by April 25. ^[152]

US Agency for International Development (USAID)

See also: USAID § Trump administration's claims of wasteful spending

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) administers civilian foreign aid and development assistance.

On February 1, members of DOGE gained access to classified information of USAID without sufficient security clearances.^[153] On February 2, Wired reported that DOGE personnel attempted to improperly access classified information and security systems at the USAID, but were thwarted by USAID security officials;^[111] those officials were subsequently put on leave.^[154] The group moved to dismantle USAID by taking the USAID website and X account offline, firing staff, and stopping overseas work.^[155] Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared himself acting administrator of the agency, although it has been an independent body for sixty years.^[58]

On February 3, Musk said of USAID: "We're shutting it down", with Musk saying Trump "agreed"; an email from special adviser Gavin Kliger to USAID staff instructed staff to keep away from USAID headquarters while hundreds of staff lost access to USAID computer systems.^{[58][156][157]} As an ex-USAID worker describes that "In a matter of hours DOGE shut down our websites, took over email handles, and summarily removed the system access of hundreds of gainfully employed public servants."^[158]

On February 5, Musk falsely alleged USAID had given Politico and the Associated Press millions of dollars. The figures given were actually for common subscriptions across the entire government; the actual amount USAID alone had spent on Politico subscriptions was $44K.^[159] White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "The DOGE team is working on canceling those payments now."^[160]

On February 14, Judge Amir Ali ordered the Trump administration to unfreeze foreign assistance payments to USAID and State Department grantees.^[161] Peter Marocco told a federal judge in a court filing that the agency he leads will not comply with the court's order.^[162]

Musk and DOGE have "sent RIF notices to nearly all of its 2,000 U.S.-based employees."^[13]

US Institute of Peace (USIP)

DOGE attempted to gain access to the building housing the United States Institute of Peace to install a new president on March 14, 2025, and again on March 17, at which time both USIP and DOGE called the police. There was a day-long standoff at the building, after which police removed president George Moose from the building. Kenneth Jackson was appointed in his place by three remaining board members after the majority of board members were fired. USIP is not a government agency, but a think tank funded by Congress.^[163] On March 18, the USIP filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration.^[164]

US Postal Service (USPS)

Former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy stated on February 18 that he had asked the governing board of the Postal Service to identify a successor.^[165]

In an agreement signed on March 12,^[166] DeJoy agreed with DOGE to cut billions of dollars and an additional 10,000 workers from the independent federal agency, that cut following an earlier loss of 30,000 jobs in 2021.^[167] That agreement was reached a week after Elon Musk called for the privatization of the Postal Service.^[168] Four days later, on March 17, the agency leader reiterated "the status of the Postal Service as an independent establishment of the Executive Branch" in a letter to Congress.^[169] On March 24, exactly a week later, the 75th American Postmaster General resigned, making national news in politics.^[170]

Non-governmental organizations (NGO)

National Endowment for Democracy (NED)

The National Endowment for Democracy is a quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization in the United States founded in 1983 with the stated aim of advancing democracy worldwide and counter communist influence abroad,

On February 12, DOGE cut funding to NED by blocking disbursement from the Department of Treasury, causing significant disruptions to the organization.^{[171][172][173]} The same day, the NED informed the organizations it funds that it would suspend payments immediately. Additionally, organizations supported by NED started laying off staff and cutting expenditures.^[171][173] The Free Press believes that dismantling the NED would symbolise a momentous change in US foreign policy, undermining the idea that democratic ideals foster US global strength and influence, and that the Trump administration therefore no longer believes that promoting democracy in the world is in the national interest.^[174]

Regulatory agencies

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

See also: NOAA under the second presidency of Donald Trump

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is charged with forecasting weather, monitoring oceanic and atmospheric conditions, charting the seas, conducting deep-sea exploration, and managing fishing and protection of marine mammals and endangered species in the US exclusive economic zone.

ABC News reported on February 6 that DOGE operatives had gained access to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) computer systems. Staff from the NOAA Information Technology group and the Department of Commerce attempted to keep the operatives from the systems according to security protocols, but the operatives defied authorized security staff and forcefully entered the facilities.^[175] Two Democratic Congress members characterized DOGE's presence in NOAA systems as "hackers". NOAA staff noted that the actions of the operatives could directly cause risk to human life by hindering NOAA and National Weather Service operations.^[176][175] ABC also reported that operatives were also looking for anything connected to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) on bulletin boards and were inspecting bathroom signs to ensure compliance with Trump's executive orders.^[176]

On February 17, DOGE released 1,127 federal contracts spanning 39 federal departments and agencies, which included several NOAA contracts.^[177] DOGE announced the "deobligation" of $1,073,496 from the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research's (OAR) Uncrewed Systems Research Transition Office (UxSRTO) that was for "scientific, engineering, and technical support".^[178]

On February 27, The Hill reported that the firing of probationary employees has begun.^[179]

As of February 28, the landing page of the NOAA External Affairs website reads: "Due to the recent layoffs at NOAA, all members of the External Affairs team were relieved of their duties."^[180]

See also

• Science policy of the second Donald Trump administration
• 2025 United States federal mass layoffs