Elon Musk, who took charge of the new Government Efficiency Agency (DOGE) less than three weeks ago, has already faced accusations of “abuse of power.” His goal is to cut government spending by two trillion dollars, leading to a series of radical changes in the US government structure.
The first major step was the closure of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Musk fired nearly 10,000 employees, retaining only 611 “systemically important” workers, according to Reuters. USAID was responsible for significant humanitarian programs worldwide, including aid to impoverished regions. Reactions to the decision have been mixed.
Additionally, around 40,000 federal employees resigned or took leave after receiving numerous emails urging them to vacate their positions, as reported by the Washington Post.
DOGE employees are already working in several government agencies, including the CIA, which gives them access to confidential information, including data on government spending and personnel. Musk also stated that he suspects “the largest financial fraud” in federal Medicare and Medicaid programs. His team has gained access to data concerning government payments to doctors and clinics, raising further questions about the potential scale of financial misconduct.
