Trump's DOGE Uncovers $200B in Wasteful Spending, Democrats Furious
Paul Riverbank, 2/23/2025The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) emerges as a polarizing force in American politics, with stark partisan divisions over its aggressive cost-cutting measures. While Republicans largely support DOGE's mission to eliminate wasteful spending, Democrats and some state officials express concern about its rapid pace and impact on federal funding allocation.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has emerged as a lightning rod in American politics, garnering both fierce support and sharp criticism across party lines while reshaping the federal landscape under President Trump's administration.
Recent polling from Economist/YouGov reveals a nation divided on DOGE's impact, with 39% viewing the agency favorably compared to 36% unfavorably. The partisan split is stark — 70% of Republicans support DOGE while 63% of Democrats oppose it, highlighting the deep political divisions surrounding the agency's aggressive cost-cutting measures.
DOGE's recent activities have centered on exposing what it considers wasteful government spending. The agency has publicly detailed numerous canceled projects, including a $10 million program for "Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision" and a $40 million "gender equality and women empowerment hub." Perhaps most notably, DOGE uncovered nearly $200 billion in questionable coronavirus relief spending by schools, citing examples like "$393K to rent out a Major League Baseball stadium" and "$86K in Caesars Palace hotel rooms."
Republican governors, gathering at the National Governors Association's winter meeting, have largely dismissed mounting concerns about DOGE's impact on state budgets. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster exemplified this stance, stating, "Some of the negative impacts are grossly exaggerated. Things will settle down, it'll get better. But at some point we've got to cut that bureaucracy because it's strangling us."
However, cracks in Republican unity are beginning to show. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott — a Harris supporter — expressed reservation about DOGE's rapid pace: "You have to be judicious in how you look at things and make sure you're sensitive to the repercussions."
The agency's influence continues to expand, with Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) — Trump's nominee for UN Ambassador — advocating for a "global DOGE" to address international spending concerns. "We need a global DOGE! We must expose the reckless and antisemitic, anti-American spending at the United Nations — and we will," Stefanik plans to declare at CPAC.
Despite growing public skepticism — recent polls show declining favorability ratings for Elon Musk, who leads DOGE — the Trump administration appears committed to its aggressive approach. Trump recently posted on Truth Social that while Musk is doing a "great job," he wants to "see him get more aggressive."
The impact on state finances remains a pressing concern. California budget official Erika Li noted that federal funding comprises about a third of the state's overall budget, making federal policy shifts a significant risk factor. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, whose state relies on federal funds for 40% of its budget, advocates for more state control through block grants: "We would prefer more ability to spend the money the way that we think we can more efficiently, rather than wash through the federal bureaucracy."
As DOGE continues its mission, the White House has reportedly begun slowing the pace of agency firings — a tacit acknowledgment of mounting backlash. Yet with Trump's continued support and Republican governors largely maintaining their backing, DOGE's influence on American governance appears set to persist, even as debates about its methods and impact intensify.
