Only a few minutes after his second inauguration, President Donald Trump signed several executive orders, one of which created Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E).
While intended to cut federal expenditures by reducing government employees and annulling specific departments, this scheme is already facing legal challenges. Critics, unions, and public interest groups have complained that the new department announced is opaque and does not have adequate supervision.
Legal troubles surrounding D.O.G.E
As Trump signed the executive order that formed D.O.G.E., National Security Counselors sued the legal advocacy group for violating the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972. This law requires advisory bodies dealing with the government to be accountable and disclose all information. The watchdog organization Public Citizen also criticized the group’s lack of clear legal status, questioning its operational order.
The lawsuits say Elon Musk, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, or others. Opponents believe that the scheme makes federal activities unsustainable if necessary measures are not taken. Nevertheless, Trump has claimed that D.O.G.E remained crucial to bringing efficiency within government business processes.
Leadership shakeup and initial focus
Founded by entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, D.O.G.E had its co-chair, who is now succeeded solely by Elon Musk. Within hours of Trump’s order, Mr Ramaswamy declared his intention to resign and start a political career in Ohio. Anna Kelly of Trump Critters commended Ramaswamy for his input and said his resignation was timely, bearing in mind the department’s institutional demands.
Musk’s main target for D.O.G.E is said to have included Federal agencies like the EPA, IRS, and Department of Education in determining whether or not to downsize or eliminate. Both steps fit into Trump’s strategy to reduce the American government’s spending and inefficiency.
Trade policies and tariff threats
Apart from D.O.G.E, Trump has threatened Canada and Mexico with probable imposition of 25% import tariffs. The president blamed border control shortcomings and fentanyl smuggling as the key drivers of the policies that may take effect by February 1. Such tariffs would affect Canada since it trades more than $500 bln annually with the United States.
At the same time, Trump once again outlined plans to introduce higher duties to China, which introduced TikTok as leverage. This has spurred the crypto markets, as Bitcoin set its record high of $110,000 while Trump’s meme coin TRUMP significantly dropped.