The newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has made a significant impact by cutting $1 billion in contracts related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) within the first 10 days of its operation. This move affected 24 federal agencies, including the Departments of Education, Labor, Treasury, Defense, Homeland Security, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
On January 29, 2025, DOGE announced the termination of 85 DEIA-related contracts across various departments. This action aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order on Government Efficiency, signed on Inauguration Day, which aimed to streamline federal operations, reduce waste, and eliminate unnecessary diversity initiatives. The Department of Government Efficiency took over the responsibilities of the U.S. Digital Service, tasked with improving federal performance and eliminating inefficiency.
Notable reductions included nearly $500 million in contracts from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and $110 million from the Department of Agriculture. Other agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, also made substantial cuts.
DOGE is set to continue cutting wasteful contracts over the next 18 months, with a special task force overseeing these efforts. Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced it had placed 60 employees focused on DEI policies on administrative leave to refocus on its core mission of supporting veterans.