WASHINGTON (TNND) -- As the national debt ticks ever upwards, heading towards the $37 trillion mark, Donald Trump using his first day back in office made good on a campaign promise to reign in government spending by signing an executive order establishing the Department of Government Efficiency.
Tech billionaire and close Trump ally Elon Musk will officially head the effort solo. Vivek Ramaswamy, who had been set to co-lead DOGE with Musk, is bowing out to consider a run for the governor of Ohio.
Trump and Musk have identified federal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs as places to start the cuts. On Monday the Chief Diversity Officer Executive Council, which led the national DEI strategy, closed. Musk posted on X "It begins."
While campaigning for Trump, Musk said he would identify at least $2 trillion worth of government spending to cut. It's a massive number that would amount to nearly a third of what the government spends.
Congressional Republicans are ready to help.
"We all know the Department of Defense is one of the most inefficient places. If you look at the Pentagon, at the spending, the contracts, we can do better," said Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, earlier this month when speaking at the Ronald Regan Presidential Foundation and Institute.
Critics point out that achieving that goal could be impossible without cuts to critical programs like Medicare and Social Security. Musk tempered expectations of what DOGE will accomplish in an interview earlier this month.
"I think we'll try for two trillion. I think that's like the best-case outcome. I think if we try for two trillion we have a good shot at getting one," said Musk.
Those opposed to DOGE filed lawsuits Monday claiming the new office violates federal laws requiring committees formed to advise the president to be transparent and ideologically balanced. DOGE supporters say it's not an official advisory panel.
Trump said the final recommendations from DOGE will be finished by July 4, 2026.