Despite its name suggesting a full-fledged department, President Trump established DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) as a temporary organization within the Executive Office of the President during his first day in office. This organization, officially called the “U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization,” was created through an executive order that also rebranded the existing U.S. Digital Service (USDS) as the U.S. DOGE Service.

While DOGE’s name implies a department-level entity, it does not have the status or authority of a full federal department, which would require congressional approval to establish.

What was the USDS?

The United States Digital Service (USDS) was established by President Barack Obama in 2014 with the aim of modernizing the federal government’s technological infrastructure. Its initial primary objective was to address and resolve the numerous technical issues and digital challenges that hampered the launch of HealthCare.gov.

HealthCare.gov, the online platform associated with the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare), experienced significant problems during its initial rollout. These issues included slow loading times, frequent crashes, and difficulties in user registration. The USDS was tasked with fixing these problems and improving the overall functionality of the website.

Alongside working on Healthcare.gov, the USDS worked on the following projects:

• Launched the Direct File (IRS) pilot in 2024, allowing over 140,000 Americans to file taxes for free directly with the government.
• Created pandemic-ready data pipelines and systems for the CDC during the COVID-19 response.
• Built the new VA.gov website.
• Developed a digital system for immigrants to apply and track applications online.

• Relaunched the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
• Implemented the Quality Payment Program and launched the No Surprises Act webpage.

Currently, the USDS does not have an administrator. Mina Hsiang, who was the USDS administrator during the Biden administration, left her position before the Trump administration took office. The deputy administrator role, which would typically become the acting administrator during a transition, was also vacant as of November 2024. The USDS administrator reports to the Office of Management and Budget. 

What is DOGE?

DOGE is rebranding and expanding the existing U.S. Digital Service, now called the U.S. DOGE Service. It is housed within the Executive Office of the President and aims to modernize federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.

When President Trump introduced the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in November, he envisioned it as an external advisory body. Initially, DOGE was led by two high-profile figures: Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and owner of X, and Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Republican presidential candidate. The campaign pledged DOGE would cut government spending, reduce regulatory burdens and implement extensive workforce reductions across government agencies.

However, the leadership structure of DOGE has recently changed. This week, Ramaswamy departed from his role in DOGE as he considers launching a campaign for the governorship of Ohio. This development leaves Musk as the sole leader of the initiative, potentially altering its direction and focus going forward. It remains unclear if Musk will be the new USDS Administrator or if he will have a different official position.

The leadership structure of DOGE and USDS is complicated. Musk has an all-access badge, and the DOGE office is located in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which is adjacent to the White House. Musk has been given an office space for about 20 people within this building. 

When the USDS (United States DOGE Service) administrator is named, they will report directly to the White House Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles.

DOGE will be a temporary organization within the USDS, set to terminate on July 4, 2026, and will focus on advancing the President’s 18-month DOGE agenda.

The executive order does not cover how DOGE will reduce spending, rather it appears that DOGE will continue to carry out the USDS original mission of modernizing federal technology and software to enhance governmental efficiency and productivity. 

According to the executive order, the role of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will be:

1. Software Modernization Initiative: The USDS Administrator is tasked with launching a program to improve the quality and efficiency of government-wide software, network infrastructure, and IT systems.
2. Interoperability: The agenda aims to promote interoperability between agency networks and systems, ensure data integrity, and facilitate responsible data collection and synchronization.
3. DOGE Teams: Each federal agency is required to establish a DOGE Team consisting of at least four employees (typically a team lead, an engineer, a human resources specialist, and an attorney) to implement the President’s DOGE agenda.
4. IT System Access: The order grants USDS full and prompt access to all unclassified agency records, software systems, and IT systems to facilitate their work.

Potential Conflicts of Interest 

Musk’s role in DOGE also raises concerns about conflicts of interest, given his companies’ existing government contracts and his business interests. 

Business Advantages

1. Retention of assets: As an advisor rather than an official government employee, Musk can retain his business holdings without having to divest.
2. Potential contracts: His role could lead to new opportunities for his companies in areas like artificial intelligence, space industry, and autonomous vehicles.
3. Cryptocurrency boost: The DOGE acronym, reminiscent of Dogecoin which Musk supports, has already led to a significant increase in the cryptocurrency’s value.

Technological Implementation

1. Blockchain exploration: Musk is reportedly considering the use of blockchain technology to enhance federal operations, which could benefit his companies involved in this sector.
2. IT modernization: The focus on upgrading government technology systems aligns with Musk’s expertise and could create opportunities for his tech companies.

Lawsuits 

Multiple lawsuits were filed against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) shortly after President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025. These legal challenges primarily focus on alleged violations of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA).

The plaintiffs argue that by not establishing DOGE as an advisory committee, the administration has violated FACA requirements, which mandate:

• Public access to meetings
• Balanced representation of viewpoints in committee membership
• Transparency in operations and record-keeping

“This advisory committee led by Musk and Ramaswamy, who hold financial interests that will be directly affected by federal budgetary and regulatory policies, is beset both by conflicts of interest and the biased and extremist views of the libertarian billionaire class,” said Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen. “As constructed, DOGE’s mission to advise OMB and the White House on how to slash regulations and cut expenditures puts at risk important consumer safeguards and public protections. It fails to consider how to more efficiently regulate companies to better protect consumers, how to eliminate wasteful and inefficient corporate subsidies and efficient public investments to make America stronger,” added Public Citizen co-president Lisa Gilbert.