Summary
Elon Musk’s DOGE faces mounting pressure to show achievements amid criticism. Staffers, under pressure from Trump administration officials, seek public relations wins to counter negative headlines.
Cuts to federal offices led to mass layoffs, and efforts to modernize government services have been chaotic. DOGE prioritizes speed over security and protecting sensitive information.
Trump has distanced himself, stating agency chiefs, not Musk, control department cuts, preferring a “scalpel” over a “hatchet” approach. Public opinion has turned against DOGE, with 48% disapproving versus 34% approving, according to a Washington Post-Ipsos poll.
With limited time before their tenure ends, DOGE officials are desperate to show results.
Part of me wonders whether the whole thing is just a set up so Trump can look good for shutting them down…
No, that would require planning and forethought.
DOGE was always just an excuse to fire a bunch of government workers, cancel contracts (except for Musk), and run the government into the ground. If trump did fire Musk for overreach it would be afger the damage is done and trump will just proclaim mission accomplished.
You’re giving too much forethought for a plan, but Trump thinks that way about everyone. He’s not just a bully but a toxic boss who always has someone lined up to be the fall guy.
The goal was always to fire a bunch of workers and replace them with sycophants: people actually trying to do their job inhibited the damage in trumps first term, so nope the priority is sycophants. Sycophants. everywhere. But every action needs a fall guy