
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.
The first @DOGE Agents arrived in Washington, D.C., with a clear target: the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). https://t.co/yzwqlH9lJX
— ginny j. (@ncginny) January 13, 2025
@DOGE I hope you look into the IRS and illegal surveillance. No search warrant needed.
— Jim chester (@bigjimchester) January 13, 2025
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.
86k new IRS agents hell bent on destroying small businesses as Biden planned. Hmmm – can’t wait for the defunding to start. Can’t be soon enough. What else will we find? Popcorn please! Gooool Elon!!!! DOGE! https://t.co/WyZ8cmcz5N
— ElCID (@dj316Trump) January 13, 2025
Please DOGE abolish the corrupt FED/IRS
— GJ (@JeffersonHolly3) January 13, 2025
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.
@realDonaldTrump @JDVance @elonmusk @VivekGRamaswamy @DOGE
ABOLISH THE IRS!!!
— Pirate58 (@Pirate5822) January 13, 2025
Audit of IRS by DOGE is Essential.
Get our best forensic accountants
with pristine credentials. https://t.co/Z9bq7hx9NF— l lorenz (@lucindalorenz) January 13, 2025
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.
I have a suggestion for DOGE, take the 80k plus IRS agents hired by the Biden administration and repurpose them as board patrol agents. If they refuse, their choice. At least they won't get paid unemployment or severance.
— Peggy Ehresman (@PeggyB18904) January 12, 2025
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.