As its name implies, DOGE is supposed to focus on improving efficiency. But instead of presenting reforms to streamline government sensibly, Musk’s initial forays focused on political retribution and a desire to gut the federal workforce no matter the cost to efficiency, expertise, and security.

President Donald Trump made Elon Musk, who heads his Department of Government Efficiency, a special government employee at the White House.

Elon Musk called USAID a criminal organization that should “die.” Proponents say it’s a key arm of U.S. influence that, if destroyed, “cannot be easily rebuilt.”