On April 29, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has made referrals for fraud to the Justice Department. In an interview with ABC News, Trump confirmed these referrals but did not provide specific details about the individuals or entities involved. He emphasized the existence of such referrals multiple times during the interview.
Since its inception, DOGE has been instrumental in the Trump administration’s cost-cutting initiatives, resulting in over 200,000 federal employee terminations and significant reductions in various agencies. While supporters argue these measures are essential to combat waste and fraud, critics contend they are reckless, particularly concerning emergency and humanitarian assistance abroad.
Elon Musk, who has been overseeing DOGE, plans to step down from his full-time role at the end of May when his 130-day mandate expires. He has indicated that he will continue to support the administration’s efforts part-time. The future of DOGE remains uncertain, though governance experts anticipate that cost-cutting initiatives will persist.
Notably, DOGE claims to have saved $160 billion for U.S. taxpayers. However, this figure has been questioned due to recurring data inaccuracies on its website.
Source: Reuters
