This year, the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will be introduced. The new department is being introduced by the incoming Trump administration as President-elect prepares to sit for his second, non-consecutive term as President of the United States. If you are in the market for a job, then DOGE may be the solution you are looking for as they are currently on the lookout for new hires.
DOGE set to increase efficiency in the federal government
DOGE is reportedly set with “making changes to the federal bureaucracy” to “slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies.” DOGE is not a formal federal agency or commission that requires congressional approval. Instead, it functions as an advisory or consulting body authorized by Trump to offer recommendations and strategies for government leaders to consider and potentially implement.
In an article published by the Wall Street Journal, Musk and Ramaswamy stated that the new department plans to focus on three major kinds of reforms:
- Regulatory rescissions
- Administrative reductions
- Cost savings
To expand on these goals, these reforms will include identifying existing regulations that, in DOGE’s view, exceed congressional authorization, and promoting a reduction in the federal workforce through “reductions in force” that bypass civil service protections. Additionally, DOGE proposes relocating federal agencies outside of Washington, DC, and requiring employees to return to the office five days a week.
On the financial front, DOGE supports cutting federal budget expenditures by halting the use of appropriated funds, ending spending on programs not currently authorized by Congress, and focusing on perceived waste and fraud, particularly in government contracts. These strategies reflect DOGE’s broader goal of reshaping federal governance and spending practices.
DOGE announces they are hiring
Currently, DOGE is seeking to higher a limited number of full-time employees. DOGE stated that Musk and Ramaswamy would focus only on the top 1% of applicants, specifically seeking “exceptionally high-IQ” individuals who are willing to work over 80 hours a week to identify ways to reduce costs. Previously, in December last year, DOGE announced they were seeking applicants with human resource, information technology and finance backgrounds.
The job posting gave few details of the roles they are looking to fill. The job posting, which was posted on X, stated that they are “recruiting for a very small number of full-time salaried Software Engineers and InfoSec Engineers.” Interested applicants are asked to applicants send DOGE a direct message on X and include “a few bullet points demonstrating exceptional ability, and your cell phone number.”
DOGE sparks debate online
DOGE has sparked a range of mixed opinions since its inception, with some lauding its bold approach to government reform and others questioning its methods and intentions. Supporters argue that DOGE’s focus on reducing waste, cutting unnecessary government spending, and streamlining federal operations is necessary for improving efficiency in a bloated bureaucracy. They view the push for high-IQ talent is sign of serious commitment to achieving these goals, believing that such an approach could drive much-needed change.
However, critics of DOGE raise concerns about the organization’s controversial methods, particularly its focus on circumventing civil service protections and promoting drastic workforce reductions. They argue that such strategies could destabilize the federal workforce and undermine the principles of fairness and transparency. Additionally, the emphasis on recruiting a select group of individuals from specific fields has led some to question whether DOGE is truly focused on long-term solutions or simply seeking quick, radical fixes. As a result, opinions on DOGE remain deeply divided, reflecting broader debates on the best way to address inefficiencies within the federal government as the nation heads into a turbulent 2025.
