Elon Musk’s DOGE Team Targets IRS Waste In Push To Cut Federal Spending

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has launched its first major effort to identify and eliminate wasteful spending within the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and other key federal agencies. Backed by President-elect Donald Trump, DOGE is leading an aggressive push to streamline government operations and slash the bloated federal budget.

DOGE, a privately funded initiative led by Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, was created to expose inefficiencies in Washington. Though not officially part of the federal government, DOGE works closely with Trump’s transition team, raising both support and skepticism about its role in shaping government policy.

Currently, 50 DOGE agents are working out of SpaceX’s Washington, D.C., offices, with plans to double the workforce to 100 employees by Trump’s inauguration. These agents have already begun investigating spending practices at the Treasury Department, IRS, Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Musk has publicly set a bold goal of cutting up to $2 trillion from the federal budget by eliminating redundancies and dismantling wasteful programs. However, he recently acknowledged that even cutting $1 trillion would be a significant achievement. “If we try for $2 trillion, we’ve got a good shot at getting $1 [trillion],” Musk stated.

Despite its growing influence, DOGE has faced criticism for its close connection to Trump’s administration. Critics argue that a privately funded organization embedded within government agencies could blur the lines between private interests and public policy. Supporters, however, argue that DOGE is exactly the disruption Washington needs to hold bloated agencies accountable.

As DOGE expands its reach, federal agencies are bracing for serious budget cuts and operational reforms. Musk’s rapid deployment of DOGE agents sends a clear message that the new administration is serious about reducing government waste and reshaping how Washington operates.