DOGE Timeline: Government Layoffs, Efficiency and Technology Goals, Target Milestones, Lawsuits and Reality Checks

Welcome to earlier DOGE status update

January 25 - Blockchain Considerations: Elon Musk is exploring potential Blockchain use cases to improve the U.S. federal government's efficiency, Bloomberg reported.

January 24 - Initial Savings: The department cancelled approximately $420 million worth of current or impending government contracts, as well as two leases, during its first 80 hours of work, according to a post on X.

January 24, 2025 - DOGE and Data Privacy Concerns?: The Executive Order that created DOGE included a surprise mandate to "modernize federal technology and software to maximize efficiency and productivity." At first glance, that sounds logical. But take a closer look and the mandate could trigger potential conflicts of interest and privacy concerns, Axio speculates, since Musk is deeply involved in technology companies that serve the U.S. government.

January 23, 2025 - Senator Warren's Memo to Elon Musk: U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent Musk a letter that includes "over 30 proposals that would cut at least $2 trillion of wasteful government spending over the next decade," according to a press release from her office. Instead of potentially cutting Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and veterans’ benefits, Warren called on the federal government to "reduce spending on wasteful programs and contracts" and "cut out unfair loopholes and giveaways to the wealthiest Americans" to "save taxpayers at least $2 trillion over the next decade." We'll be watching to see if Musk responds.

January 23, 2025 - Attorney Exits: Top attorney Bill McGinley is leaving DOGE just days after President Trump’s return to the White House, The Wall Street Journal reported. McGinley, whom Trump appointed as DOGE’s legal counsel in December 2024, is in discussions with several large companies to return to the private sector, the report said.

January 21, 2025 - Goodbye U.S. Penny?: Musk suggested the United States stop minting the penny because it costs 3 cents to make each coin, thereby costing taxpayers over $179 million in fiscal year 2023.

January 20, 2025 - Ramaswamy Exits: Ramaswamy is leaving DOGE and launching a campaign for governor in Ohio, NBC News reported. Among the reasons for the departure: Ramaswamy wanted to cut regulations, while Musk preferred to prioritize government spending cuts, The Wall Street Journal reported. Moreover, Ramaswamy wanted the office to be an external operation rather than an office embedded in the executive branch of the U.S. federal government.

January 20, 2025 - Three Lawsuits Surface: Within minutes of Trump signing the executive order to form DOGE, activist groups filed three lawsuits against DOGE, Activist Docket reported. The suits alleging that the creation of DOGE shouldn’t be considered a federal agency — which can only happen through an act of Congress but rather an advisory committee, Activist Docket said.

January 20, 2025 - Focus Includes IT Efficiency: DOGE's mission includes a mandate to modernize federal technology and software to maximize efficiency and productivity, according to the Executive Order forming the office.

January 20, 2025 - Executive Order : Trump signed an executive order that organizes DOGE within the executive branch, replacing the U.S. Digital Service. The U..S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization shall terminate on July 4, 2026. 

Disclosure: Author Joe Panettieri also is founder of Channel Angels, which is an early stage investor in SpaceX -- a major U.S. government contractor led by Elon Musk.