President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week, directing federal agencies to collaborate with the US DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) Service to reduce their current workforce and limit future hiring.
Trump was accompanied by the head of DOGE, Elon Musk.
DOGE is an agency tasked with identifying government inefficiencies.
Speaking at the White House, Musk warned that the US would go bankrupt without budget cuts.
He highlighted the $1.8 trillion budget deficit and rising interest payments on public debt, insisting that spending reductions were ‘essential’.
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‘It’s not optional’ for Washington to reduce federal expenses, he told reporters. ‘It’s essential.’
According to reports, Trump’s aggressive cost-cutting measures, including federal agency shutdowns and workforce reductions, have led to legal challenges, with critics accusing the administration of an illegal power grab.
An executive order limits hiring to one new employee for every four who leave, with agency heads required to consult DOGE on staffing decisions.
Musk, whose companies benefit from US government contracts, defended his role, saying he aims for transparency.
Concerns have also been raised about DOGE’s access to sensitive Treasury data as it freezes aid programmes and reduces federal staffing.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
