DOGE, a US government reform agency, is facing backlash from the Trump administration and the public over massive cuts to civil service and programs. The team, led by Elon Musk, is trying to change the perception of its work by shifting from eliminating bureaucracy to developing modern digital services for government services, The Washington Post reports.
One of DOGE's main tasks is to demonstrate its achievements. Thomas Shedd, a former Tesla employee and current General Services Administration (GSA) official, said during a meeting with staff: "I need wins to defend." However, the confrontation between DOGE and the heads of federal agencies is escalating. Donald Trump, who previously supported Musk, said that the cuts should be spotty, not massive. At the same time, protests against DOGE's actions have begun in pro-Trump regions.
To improve its reputation, the team is betting on technology. The project involved Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia, who is supposed to help modernize government services. However, DOGE has already attracted criticism for interfering in the reform of the US Social Security system, which was previously carried out by the USDS government service. Former USDS head Mina Xiang said that the dismissal of experienced specialists jeopardizes the quality of digital reforms.
DOGE is also starting to engage in more PR. Musk has supported the idea of a "DOGE dividend," under which part of the savings could go to American taxpayers. The official DOGE website has already published a calculation of the savings per taxpayer - over $650.
However, not everyone approves of DOGE’s approach. The publication reports that Musk’s team has eliminated two key government digital services – 18F and USDS, which modernized government services. Former employees emphasize that DOGE neglects security and complex technical processes in pursuit of quick results.