Public support for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) appears to be declining, according to two recent polls. As DOGE pushes aggressive federal workforce reductions, a rising share of Americans now believe the agency should be reduced or eliminated altogether.
Despite this growing backlash, President Donald Trump remains a strong supporter of Musk and DOGE, even suggesting that its cost-cutting measures could be Musk’s greatest achievement—surpassing his success with Tesla and SpaceX.
With thousands of federal employees affected and entire agencies at risk of closure, the political and legal battles over DOGE’s role are intensifying.
Polls Show Increasing Opposition to DOGE
Key Findings from the YouGov Poll (Feb. 23-25):
- 29% of respondents believe DOGE should be eliminated.
- 8% think it should be reduced.
- 27% believe it should remain the same.
- 21% want it expanded.
- 17% were unsure.
Growing Discontent:
- 37% now favor reducing or eliminating DOGE, up from 34% in a similar poll one week earlier.
- DOGE is the most unpopular federal department, receiving the highest share of “eliminated” responses.
- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was the second most unpopular agency, with 35% supporting its reduction or elimination.
Poll Details:
- Conducted by YouGov.
- Sample size: 1,604 U.S. adults.
- Margin of error: ±3.5%.
Why DOGE’s Actions Are Controversial
DOGE’s Major Workforce Cuts & Agency Closures:
- Mass layoffs across multiple federal agencies.
- Threatening to close key government offices.
- Impacting thousands of federal employees nationwide.
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) criticized DOGE, stating:
“You’ve got Elon Musk taking a chainsaw to the federal government and important services. The actions he’s taking are illegal, and we need to shut down this illegal operation.”
Critics argue that Musk’s aggressive cost-cutting measures are:
- Overstepping legal boundaries.
- Targeting agencies for ideological reasons rather than efficiency.
- Potentially harming public safety (e.g., layoffs at FAA, CDC, and U.S. Forest Service).
Musk & Trump Double Down on DOGE’s Mission
Elon Musk defended DOGE’s efforts, saying at the World Government Summit in Dubai:
“I think we do need to delete entire agencies. If we don’t remove the roots of the weed, then it’s easy for the weed to grow back.”
Trump continues to back Musk, calling DOGE one of his biggest accomplishments.
Trump and Musk appear committed to continuing DOGE’s efforts, despite mounting political and public resistance.
What Happens Next?
Key Upcoming Developments:
- Legal Battles: Multiple lawsuits could challenge DOGE’s authority and halt workforce cuts.
- Public Opinion Shifts: If opposition to DOGE continues to rise, political pressure may force changes.
- More Layoffs Coming? Given Trump’s strong support, DOGE is expected to continue its workforce reductions for now.
The question remains: Will public and legal pressure be enough to rein in DOGE, or will Musk and Trump push forward with even deeper cuts?
