In January 2025, the second Trump administration launched the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, with a mission to slash federal spending and streamline government operations. Promising to eliminate “waste, fraud, and abuse,” DOGE has instead unleashed chaos, disrupting critical services and triggering widespread backlash. From mass layoffs to unverified claims of satellite access cuts by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, DOGE’s actions have raised questions about their legality, efficacy, and long-term consequences. This article explores how the system functioned effectively before these cuts and why DOGE’s approach risks more harm than good.

A System Disrupted

Before DOGE’s intervention, federal agencies like the National Oceanic} Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) operated with robust staffing and resources to monitor weather patterns and issue timely warnings. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) maintained tax compliance, ensuring steady revenue streams. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided humanitarian aid to over 100 countries, supporting U.S. foreign policy and farmers reliant on aid programs. These systems, while not perfect, functioned with stability and expertise.

DOGE’s aggressive cost-cutting measures, however, have upended these operations. Over 60,000 federal employees have been laid off, and 110,000 more resigned through a deferred resignation program. The IRS faces a 40% workforce reduction, potentially costing $323 billion in tax revenue over a decade due to diminished audits. Medical research programs, including HIV treatment and substance abuse initiatives, have been axed, undermining public health. Most alarmingly, posts on X claim that Secretary Hegseth cut off satellite access critical for weather forecasting and disaster response, leaving agencies like NOAA and NWS under-resourced during emergencies. While these satellite access claims remain unverified, they underscore the broader disruption caused by DOGE’s rapid, poorly planned cuts.

The High Cost of Chaos

DOGE claims to have saved $160 billion by canceling contracts, grants, and leases, but the Partnership for Public Service estimates these actions will cost taxpayers $135 billion this fiscal year due to paid leave, rehiring costs, and lost productivity. The chaotic layoffs, such as the mistaken firing and rehiring of 350 National Nuclear Security Administration workers, highlight the lack of understanding of agency roles by DOGE’s inexperienced staff. The use of untested AI to analyze sensitive government data risks errors that could delay critical payments like Social Security or veterans’ benefits, with potentially devastating consequences.

Promises vs. Reality

Musk initially promised $2 trillion in savings, later scaled back to $150 billion—a fraction of the $7 trillion federal budget. While the public supports reducing government waste, 57-60% disapprove of Musk’s methods, according to polls. The aggressive cuts have triggered over 25 lawsuits, with most rulings against DOGE, and have alienated even Republican lawmakers who see risks to national security and public services.

The Satellite Access Controversy

One of the most concerning claims involves Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s alleged decision to cut off satellite access used by agencies like NOAA for weather forecasting and disaster response. X posts suggest this, combined with a 20% reduction in weather balloon launches and layoffs of experienced meteorologists, has crippled storm tracking and warning capabilities. While unconfirmed by mainstream sources, these allegations align with DOGE’s pattern of slashing critical resources without fully understanding their importance, potentially endangering lives during natural disasters.

A Question of Accountability

Musk’s role as a special government employee, coupled with his leadership of companies like SpaceX that hold billions in government contracts, raises conflict-of-interest concerns. DOGE’s access to sensitive data, such as Treasury payment systems, has sparked privacy lawsuits, with critics arguing that Musk’s team operates with insufficient oversight. The lack of transparency—DOGE provides little evidence for its claimed savings—further erodes public trust.

Conclusion

The federal government was far from perfect before DOGE, but it provided essential services with a level of stability that has been shattered by Musk’s rapid, ideologically driven cuts. The system worked—tracking storms, collecting taxes, and aiding global partners—because of experienced staff and adequate funding. DOGE’s actions, including the unverified satellite access cut by Hegseth, risk long-term damage to public safety, economic stability, and national security, far outweighing short-term savings. As legal battles and public disapproval mount, the Trump administration must reconsider DOGE’s approach to avoid further harm to a system that served Americans well.