Trump signs order making Musk's DOGE Commission official

In a move set to reshape federal governance, US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to formalise the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a commission led by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.

Aimed at modernising federal agencies through cost-cutting measures and technological upgrades, the initiative has been met with a mix of anticipation and criticism, as legal challenges threaten to derail its progress.

The executive order rebrands the U.S. Digital Service (USDS) as the U.S. DOGE Service, retaining the original acronym while shifting its focus to Musk's vision for government reform. Established under former President Barack Obama to modernise technology within government agencies, the USDS will now spearhead software modernisation plans to overhaul outdated IT systems and infrastructure.

At the signing ceremony, President Trump described plans for DOGE teams within federal agencies, detailing that each team would comprise a team leader, an engineer, an HR specialist, and an attorney. Agency heads have been instructed to establish these teams within 30 days and to work collaboratively with DOGE to streamline operations.

A temporary body, the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organisation, has also been created to implement Trump's 18-month DOGE agenda. The organisation is scheduled to conclude its operations by 4 July 2026, ahead of the Ohio gubernatorial election later that year.

Legal and political challenges

Despite President Trump's confidence in the initiative, the DOGE commission faces significant legal and political hurdles. Critics have already filed three lawsuits alleging that the commission violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), which requires advisory groups to operate transparently and include balanced representation. Advocacy group Democracy Forward has described the commission as a "shadow operation", while National Security Counsellors argue that it bypasses proper advisory procedures. Additional lawsuits from Public Citizen, the State Democracy Defenders Fund, and the American Federation of Government Employees claim that the commission fails to represent the interests of ordinary Americans.

Musk's vision and controversy

Elon Musk's initial claims that DOGE could save up to $2 trillion through efficiency measures, including reducing waste and eliminating redundant agencies, have since been tempered. Musk acknowledged the complexity of such an undertaking, and the commission is reportedly exploring controversial proposals, such as nullifying the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and restructuring it alongside the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Further proposals include the elimination of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a move that experts and consumer advocates have heavily criticised.

The commission's internal dynamics have also attracted attention. Vivek Ramaswamy, who co-led DOGE alongside Musk, left the commission following reported disagreements. Ramaswamy is now expected to run for governor of Ohio, adding a political twist to the commission's trajectory.

Uncertain future

While the DOGE initiative represents an ambitious attempt to modernise federal operations, its future remains uncertain. Legal challenges and criticism from advocacy groups cast doubt on its viability, and the controversial nature of some proposals has drawn sharp scrutiny. As the temporary organisation works to implement its mandate, the success of Musk's vision for government reform will likely depend on overcoming significant political and legal barriers.

The commission's July 2026 deadline places it on a tight schedule, and its outcomes could have far-reaching implications for federal governance and the broader political landscape in the United States.