Trump signs executive order to expand DOGE’s spending review powers

Trump's EO enhances DOGE's spending review using a centralized system for contract, grant, and travel approvals.

: President Trump has signed an executive order empowering the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to monitor federal spending more closely. This includes implementing centralized systems in agencies to record contract, grant, and 'non-essential' travel approvals, requiring written justifications from employees. DOGE was formed from the U.S. Digital Service, predominantly staffed by young private-sector recruits from Elon Musk's network, who have faced minimal oversight. The EO builds on DOGE's prior directive for federal employees to report weekly accomplishments or face termination.

President Trump has issued an executive order that grants the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) expanded authority to oversee federal spending. Under the guidance of Elon Musk, DOGE is tasked with setting up centralized technological systems across agencies to track contract and grant approvals, requiring employees to provide written justifications for approval decisions.

Moreover, the order mandates the creation of systems to record non-essential federal travel expenses, again demanding written justifications for such expenditures. Agency leaders are given the power to pause and review any unsubstantiated payments, ensuring a tighter grip on governmental financial activities.

DOGE, which was established as part of a previous executive order, effectively transformed the U.S. Digital Service into a spending review body run by Musk-related personnel. Having sent an ultimatum earlier to federal employees about proving the significance of their work, DOGE is leveraging AI algorithms to ascertain the value of each task, although concerns about the initiative's privacy and security remain.

Government EfficiencyExecutive OrderFederal Spending