The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory commission spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk recommending deep cuts to federal agencies, could soon become more official, should an executive order signed by President Donald Trump pass legal muster.
On Monday evening, Trump signed an order that renames the U.S. Digital Service, which was created in 2014 by former President Barack Obama to “change our government’s approach to technology,” as the U.S. DOGE Service (USDS).
The USDS is set to have around 20 employees, Trump said during the executive order signing ceremony.
The executive order instructs U.S. agency heads to consult with USDS to form “DOGE Teams” of “at least” four employees within their agency within 30 days. Teams will typically include a DOGE Team lead, engineer, HR specialist, and attorney, per the executive order, and work with the USDS and agency in which they’re housed to implement Trump’s DOGE plan.
Among other things, the executive order establishes a “software modernization” plan to improve government network infrastructure and IT systems, and gives the USDS access to “unclassified” agency records, software systems, and IT systems “consistent with law.”
The executive order also creates a temporary organization, the U.S. Doge Service Temporary Organization, dedicated to “advancing [President Trump’s] 18-month DOGE agenda.” The organization is set to terminate on July 4, 2026.
It remains to be seen whether the executive order survives coming courtroom battles. No fewer than three lawsuits have been filed in federal court alleging that the Musk-led DOGE violates the transparency requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), a 1972 law that requires federal advisory committees to hold meetings publicly and represent “balanced” perspectives.
Trump announced DOGE, which was to be co-led by entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, late last year. Ramaswamy has since left DOGE after reportedly clashing with Musk, and is said to plan to announce a run for Ohio governor next week.
Musk has suggested that DOGE could help to cut the U.S. federal budget by up to $2 trillion through measures such as reducing waste, abolishing redundant agencies, and downsizing the federal workforce. He has since backtracked on that goal, however.