In a significant shift for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that President Trump and his Cabinet are stepping in to lead the initiative as tech titan Elon Musk concludes his tenure. Musk, who spearheaded the cost-cutting program, is returning to his corporate ventures, leaving the administration to carry forward the mission of streamlining government operations.
“The DOGE leaders are each and every member of the President’s cabinet — and the president himself — who is wholeheartedly committed to cutting waste, fraud and abuse from our government,” Leavitt said to reporters on Thursday, outlining the new leadership framework.
Musk and Davis Step Away
Musk has been phasing out his role in recent weeks, with his term as a special government employee set to end by May’s close. He now shifts his focus to his businesses, including Tesla, which faces challenges from declining European sales and uncertainties surrounding Trump’s tariff policies. Steve Davis, Musk’s key ally at DOGE, has also stepped down due to regulations limiting special government employees to 130 days of service annually, according to Bloomberg.
While neither Musk nor Davis held formal leadership titles at DOGE, they were widely regarded as its driving forces. In February, the Trump administration named Amy Gleason as the acting administrator for the U.S. DOGE Services, signaling a transition in oversight.
Leavitt emphasized that the initiative’s momentum will persist despite Musk’s exit. “The entire Cabinet is involved,” she said, noting a recent conversation with President Trump.
“I spoke to the president about it this morning, and the entire Cabinet understands the need to cut government waste, fraud, and abuse, and each Cabinet secretary at their respective agencies is committed to that.” She added that Cabinet members will continue collaborating with DOGE’s political appointees across agencies to sustain the initiative’s goals.
Political Support and Pushback
DOGE has garnered enthusiastic support from conservative lawmakers, particularly those focused on fiscal responsibility. However, recent developments have cast a shadow over its progress.
Musk expressed frustration with a proposed spending bill, telling CBS Sunday Morning, “I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.”
In comments to the Washington Post, he lamented that “DOGE is just becoming the whipping boy for everything,” criticizing congressional Republicans for not yet enshrining DOGE’s proposed cuts into law.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has since vowed to codify those reductions, signaling renewed commitment to the initiative’s objectives.
Savings Claims Under Scrutiny
DOGE claims to have saved over $175 billion—approximately $1,087 per taxpayer—but these figures are contentious. A preliminary review by OpenTheBooks, a government transparency group, found that only 27% of DOGE’s grant-related savings and 42% of its contract-related savings could be confirmed, raising questions about the initiative’s reported impact.
As the Trump administration takes the reins, the future of DOGE hinges on the Cabinet’s ability to maintain its cost-cutting zeal while navigating political and fiscal challenges. With key players like Musk stepping away, the initiative’s success will depend on the collective resolve of Trump’s team to deliver on its promise of a leaner, more efficient government.
The Fairview Gazette will keep our readers updated on any actions made by DOGE.
