The Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is facing mounting criticism for its aggressive cost-cutting measures, including attempts to slash federal research funding.
The University of Michigan has raised alarms over proposed cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which would eliminate three-quarters of a billion dollars in funding for research at the university alone.
While a federal judge has temporarily blocked the budget cuts, concerns are growing about DOGE’s “tech startup” approach to governance and the long-term consequences for public services, scientific research, and consumer protections.
What is DOGE Doing?
Major Actions by DOGE So Far:
- Dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and merged it into the State Department.
- Terminated contracts across multiple federal agencies.
- Paralyzed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
- Plans to overhaul the Department of Education, IRS, and NASA.
Critics warn that these cuts will reduce essential services, affecting:
- Medical research & healthcare funding
- Consumer protections
- Federal workforce stability
North Carolina Congresswoman Alma Adams on DOGE’s Cuts:
“They’re going to impact families. It’s going to impact our schools. It’s going to impact our veterans, our nursing homes.”
Is Musk Treating Government Like a Tech Company?
DOGE’s “move fast and break things” mentality mirrors Musk’s management style at X (formerly Twitter). After acquiring the platform, he:
- Fired most of the workforce to cut costs.
- Implemented rapid, sweeping policy changes that led to technical issues.
- Saw X lose 80% of its value since his takeover.
Applying the same strategy to the federal government is proving problematic, as:
- Cuts are being made without understanding long-term impacts.
- Many DOGE hires lack experience in federal budgeting and management.
- Federal funding serves crucial functions that cannot be instantly “fixed” like software bugs.
Government ≠ A Business
Unlike tech companies, the government cannot function with rapid, untested cuts due to:
- Checks and balances that prevent unilateral action.
- Long-term funding commitments that impact millions of lives.
- The complexity of federal programs, which require expert oversight.
Why Are DOGE’s Cuts Dangerous?
NIH Budget Cuts Could Halt Life-Saving Research
- Freezing NIH funds has previously caused medical research delays and even deaths.
- Lack of funding threatens breakthroughs in cancer, Alzheimer’s, and infectious diseases.
Musk’s Inexperienced Staff is Mismanaging the Process
- Many DOGE hires are from the tech sector, with little to no government experience.
- Some employees are teenagers with controversial backgrounds, including past racist social media posts.
- Experts fear DOGE’s “efficiency-first” focus is actually leading to mismanagement and waste.
DOGE’s $1 Trillion Deficit Reduction Goal is Unrealistic
- Slashing contracts and laying off workers will not eliminate the deficit.
- Reckless cuts could destabilize essential government programs.
The Dangers of DOGE’s Mindset:
“When Musk implemented drastic cost-cutting at X, it caused major disruptions. The same mistakes are now being repeated on a much larger scale—with real lives at stake.”
