It is not known if the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will review government spending and operations anew, incorporate and build upon already written studies and previous works, or do a combination of the two. Previous works could be useful in DOGE's mission of government reform.
If DOGE has not already done so, it should consider three types of previous works: papers from think tanks, academics, and others; compilations of government waste from senators and members of Congress; and recommendations on improving government and eliminating waste from congressional committees such as the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform. If possible, DOGE should also speak with those who were instrumental in their creation to get their perspectives.
DOGE has announced some of its plans. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who will lead the department, wrote: "The two of us will advise DOGE at every step to pursue three types of reform: regulatory rescissions, administrative reductions, and cost savings.
"We will focus particularly on driving change through executive action rather than passing new laws ... DOGE will work with legal experts embedded in government agencies, aided by advanced technology."
DOGE plans to rely on two Supreme Court rulings that limit the power and range of regulations issued by administrative agencies. DOGE will argue that the wasteful regulations violate the Supreme Court rulings; and, therefore, the president will be able to eliminate these regulations.
DOGE posted on X that it is hiring "Software Engineers and InfoSec Engineers," those in "HR [human resources], IT [information technology], and Finance," and individuals interested in "cost-cutting." DOGE has also sought help from the public via X in identifying "wasteful and burdensome" government regulations.
The DOGE X account has implied that ideas for DOGE include simplifying the tax code, auditing the Department of Defense, and modernizing government IT systems.
Assessing the government from a fresh perspective will yield new ideas, approaches, and areas for reform and cost-cutting. Additionally, the use of artificial intelligence to find waste and fraud can be helpful.
Previous works can bring benefits, too. They can provide valuable context and insight on many of the problems DOGE is addressing; highlight other areas that need to be studied; offer solutions for many of DOGE's priorities; and be a time-saver, because much of the work (such as identifying the issues and offering solutions) has already been completed.
Think tanks, academics, and others have studied and written on ways to make the U.S. government more efficient and to reduce costs. Examples include papers from the Heritage Foundation, Brookings Institute, CATO Institute, and the CATO Institute's specific website on downsizing the government.
Countless books exist, such as those found on Amazon by searching "reinventing the U.S. government." Even the U.S. government has publications on how to reform itself such as such as this report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
It is likely that many individuals and organizations have spent years studying these topics; and, as such, they can offer ideas and expertise.
Several senators and representatives are known for reports in which they point out government waste.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. issues an annual "Festivus Report" focused on government waste. His 2024 report highlights over $1 trillion in waste.
Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., publishes "Federal Fumbles: Ways the Federal Government Dropped the Ball." Lankford's Top 10 list of wasteful government spending is illuminating.
The late Senator Tom Coburn, R-Okla., published the "Wastebook." Famously, in 2014, the Wastebook detailed that the government spent $856,000 to train mountain lions to walk on treadmills.
DOGE could collect lists of government waste from various sources such as those mentioned above and develop methods to eliminate this spending.
Congressional committees have also focused on government waste and the budget process.
In 2018, the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform was created to "significantly reform the budget and appropriations process." It offered suggestions such as aligning the government’s fiscal year with the calendar year and creating milestones for budget and appropriations bill to keep Congress on schedule.
The committee's recommendations did not formally get sent to the House and Senate because the committee voted against doing so.
Former U.S. Sen. and Ambassador-designate to China David Perdue went even further in 2019 when he suggested that the Senate not adjourn until all 12 appropriations bills were passed. He also called for the docking of pay for Congress members and senators, congressional and Senate staff, and officials at the White House Budget Office if all 12 appropriations bills were not passed by Dec. 31.
DOGE could include these recommendations in a report to the president and country as a whole.
DOGE has the potential to create a tremendous amount of positive change for the United States. Its goal is to complete its work by July 4, 2026, which would be a great birthday present for America.
Michael B. Abramson is a practicing attorney. He is also an adviser with the National Diversity Coalition for Trump. He is the host of the "Advancing the Agenda" podcast and the author of "A Playbook for Taking Back America: Lessons from the 2012 Presidential Election." Follow him on his website and Twitter, @mbabramson. Read Michael B. Abramson's Reports — More Here.