Elon Musk to step back from DOGE near Trump’s 100th day. What’s his legacy? | Vox

Elon Musk's DOGE Initiative: A Failed Attempt at Government Overhaul

Elon Musk's involvement in the Trump administration's "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) aimed at radically restructuring the federal government. Initially, Musk wielded significant power, firing employees, canceling contracts, and attempting to centralize control. This shock-and-awe approach, however, proved unsustainable.

The Fall of DOGE: Cabinet Revolt and Legal Challenges

Musk's aggressive tactics, combined with legal challenges and diminishing popularity, led to a Cabinet revolt. Cabinet secretaries, initially passive, eventually pushed back against Musk's authority, resulting in a significant reduction of his power within the administration. Trump ultimately sided with his Cabinet, effectively ending Musk's era of significant influence.

Legacy and Potential Future Impacts

Despite its failure, DOGE had lasting consequences. Agencies like USAID were dismantled, causing setbacks in foreign aid. Mass layoffs and contract cancellations had long-term repercussions. While Musk's sweeping changes failed, the underlying agenda of reducing the federal workforce and presidential control over the civil service persists.

• Significant Cuts: DOGE initiated significant cuts, impacting various agencies and potentially harming future operations.
• Legal Challenges: Many of DOGE's actions were challenged in court and deemed illegal.
• Cabinet Revolt: The Cabinet's resistance to Musk's unchecked authority significantly limited his influence.
• Long-Term Impacts: DOGE's actions had long-term consequences, some still unknown.