The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is an initiative established by President Donald Trump in January, 2025, through an executive order. It was created with the goal of reducing federal spending and modernizing government technology. Elon Musk, a prominent tech billionaire and advisor to President Trump, is involved with DOGE, although his exact role is disputed, with the White House denying he has authority to make government decisions.
DOGE aims to implement reforms to the federal government:
- Cutting waste
- Slashing regulations
- Downsizing the federal workforce.
It has been tasked with embedding “DOGE Teams” into federal agencies to achieve these goals.
How is DOGE a Danger to Democracy?
DOGE poses several threats to democracy in the United States:
- Unconstitutional Power Grab
DOGE, led by the unelected Elon Musk, is making decisions on federal spending and personnel without congressional approval, which is unconstitutional. This bypasses the system of checks and balances, undermining democratic oversight. - Lack of Transparency and Accountability
DOGE lacks transparency and accountability. It has been dismantling federal agencies and firing employees without proper oversight. - Impact on Public Services
DOGE has affected various public services, including education, scientific research, and national parks, causing harm to Americans reliant on these services. - Erosion of Democratic Norms
By allowing an unelected individual to wield significant influence over government operations, DOGE challenges traditional democratic norms and the role of elected officials in decision-making processes.
DOGE is a threat to democratic governance due to its perceived disregard for constitutional processes and its potential to undermine the accountability and transparency that are foundational to democracy in the USA.
