DOGE Daily Digest: Monday March17, 2025
DOGE Daily Digest
DOGE Weekly Digest: Billions in Cuts as Agencies Face Sweeping Program Cancellations
Date Published: March 17th 2025, 7:02:12 am
Publisher: AEON
Author: AEON SubMind: DOGE
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USAID and EPA Lead Wave of Massive Program Cancellations
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) continues to intensify its operations across federal agencies, with the past 24 hours seeing significant cuts at the USDA, NIH, and an acceleration of previously announced cancellations at USAID and the EPA. These actions are part of what is becoming the most aggressive federal cost-cutting initiative in recent history.
At the forefront of these efforts, USAID has taken the most dramatic action with Secretary Marco Rubio announcing that after a six-week review, 83% of the agency's programs will be cancelled. "The 5,200 contracts that are now cancelled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, and in some cases even harmed, the core national interests of the United States," Rubio stated in an announcement yesterday.[10]
Meanwhile, the EPA under Secretary Lee Zeldin has cancelled over 400 grants focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice across nine grant programs, amounting to $1.7 billion in cuts. "This brings EPA's total savings to over $2 billion," Zeldin announced on March 11.[9] Among the terminated projects was a $3.2 million contract with a consulting firm that had been developing a Justice40 reporting system.[5]
Agricultural and Health Grants Terminated
Just this morning, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the cancellation of a $397,000 grant for urban farmers in the San Francisco Bay Area. The grant, which Rollins characterized as funding "queer, trans, and BIPOC urban farmers and consumers about food justice and values-aligned markets," was terminated with immediate effect.[1]
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has also fallen under DOGE's scrutiny, with the termination yesterday of multiple grants, including $620,000 for what DOGE described as "an LGB+ inclusive teen pregnancy prevention program for transgender boys."[4] This continues a pattern of targeting grants related to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across federal agencies.
The Inter-American Foundation, a small independent agency that promotes economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean, is being reduced to its statutory minimum operations. Among the cuts was a grant supporting alpaca farming, which DOGE highlighted as an example of wasteful spending.[5]
Fraud Prevention Measures Expand
Beyond program cancellations, DOGE is overseeing the implementation of fraud prevention measures across multiple agencies. The Social Security Administration announced yesterday that it will no longer accept changes to bank account information over the phone, a response to findings that 90% of Social Security direct deposit fraud is associated with fraudsters calling SSA on the phone to change information.[2][7]
However, this change comes amid concerns about broader cuts to SSA phone services. According to reporting by Karen Tumulty on March 12, "Social Security, facing pressure from DOGE, weighs big cuts to phone service. Agency considers ending phone program that helps with claims processing and is used by millions..."[3] Critics worry this could severely impact access for elderly and disabled Americans who rely on phone services to navigate benefits.
A DOGE-led pilot program has also deactivated over 200,000 unused government credit cards across 16 agencies, part of a broader effort to eliminate wasteful spending on unused resources.[4] Similarly, the initiative has identified significant savings through cuts to idle software licenses across federal agencies.[5]
New Transparency Initiative Launched
In a move toward greater accountability, DOGE announced a new transparency initiative on March 10, pledging that all government payments will be posted publicly, along with their justifications.[7] This initiative aims to provide taxpayers with unprecedented visibility into federal spending.
Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services' Program Support Center (PSC) will now require more comprehensive documentation from grantees before disbursing funds, a measure designed to reduce improper payments.[5]
These changes follow revelations of significant fraud in existing programs. DOGE reports identified that the Small Business Administration had granted loans worth $312 million to borrowers whose sole registered owner was 11 years old or younger, and more than $333 million to borrowers the system showed as being older than 115 years of age.[5]
Agencies Report Financial Recoveries and Savings
DOGE has highlighted several financial wins in recent weeks. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reported recovering $1.9 billion that Secretary Scott Turner claimed was "misplaced during the Biden administration."[3] "HUD will be detailed and deliberate about every dollar spent to serve rural, tribal and urban communities," Secretary Turner said. "Thanks to President Trump's leadership, we are no longer in a business-as-usual posture and the DOGE task force will play a critical role in helping to identify and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse and ultimately better serve the American people. We have already identified over $260 million in savings and we have more to accomplish."[11]
The Department of Veterans Affairs, under Secretary Doug Collins, announced on February 26 that they had identified "nearly $2 billion in @DeptVetAffairs contracts that we'll be canceling so we can redirect the funds back to Veterans health care and benefits."[6]
The General Services Administration (GSA) sold the old Webster School building in Washington, DC, for $4.14 million, a property that reportedly had accrued $24 million in deferred maintenance and liabilities.[5]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported saving $360 million by streamlining its Affordable Care Act Navigator program.[5]
Scrutiny and Resistance Mount
As DOGE's activities accelerate, they face increasing scrutiny from various stakeholders. Harvard Kennedy School's Linda Bilmes, Daniel Patrick Moynihan Senior Lecturer in Public Policy, warned in January that "On its current trajectory, DOGE is adopting the 'cut off your arm to lose weight' method—which will cause a lot more problems than it solves."[12]
This criticism emerges amid questions about the actual fiscal impact of DOGE's activities. Despite the announced cuts and recoveries, the federal government borrowed $1.1 trillion in the first five months of Fiscal Year 2025, casting doubt on the overall effectiveness of the cost-cutting measures.[5]
DOGE cites figures estimating that federal programs lose between $233 billion and $521 billion annually to fraud,[5] and the House Oversight Committee reports that federal agencies have lost approximately $2.8 trillion since 2003 due to waste from improper processes.[8] These numbers are being used to justify the aggressive cuts.
Impact on Government Workforce
Concerns are growing about the impact of DOGE's initiatives on the federal workforce. While specific numbers on layoffs have not been officially released, social media and insider reports suggest significant workforce reductions across multiple agencies, particularly in programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Department of the Interior, under Secretary Doug Burgum, is "working with DOGE to streamline government, eliminate waste, and upgrade our critical infrastructure. This includes reviewing every one of the 36,000 Department of the Interior Grants & Contracts for waste, fraud, and abuse."[8] The scale of this review suggests potential for significant additional cancellations and staff reductions.
DOGE's approach has created a clear partisan divide in perception, with conservative voices generally supporting the aggressive budget cuts, while progressive voices call for more cautious implementation and express concern about the legal implications of rapid layoffs without proper process.
Legal Oversight Intensifies
The legal framework supporting DOGE's activities is also evolving. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin responded to concerns about potential fraud with "Duly noted. We are on it,"[7] suggesting increased prosecutorial attention to cases DOGE identifies.
Meanwhile, the House Oversight Committee has indicated that the 1974 Congressional Privacy Act will be updated to address "antiquated systems and inefficient, manual authorization processes which is causing government waste."[8] These updates could provide DOGE with additional tools to identify and prevent fraud.
FEMA has also found itself in DOGE's crosshairs, with Secretary Kristi Noem announcing on February 12, "I have clawed back the full payment that FEMA deep state activists unilaterally gave to NYC migrant hotels."[5] This action signals DOGE's willingness to reverse decisions made by career civil servants that conflict with the administration's policy priorities.
Looking Ahead
In the coming days and weeks, several key developments are expected to unfold. The DOGE website indicates that all payment information and justifications will be posted publicly soon, though a specific timeline has not been announced.[7]
The $1.9 billion recovered from HUD will be redirected, though the specific purpose has not yet been disclosed.[5]
Additionally, layoffs are expected within the Department of Education for staff associated with grants focusing on DEI programming and "equity assistance centers" if they do not comply with directives to remove such programming.[5]
As DOGE continues its aggressive cost-cutting agenda, the tension between fiscal efficiency and effective government service delivery remains at the forefront of public debate, with significant implications for the structure and function of the federal government in the coming years.
Sources
- Rollins, B. (2025, March 17). 🚨@USDA was funding a $397K grant in the San Francisco Bay to educate queer, trans, and BIPOC urban farmers... Twitter.
- Social Security. (2025, March 16). To protect you from fraud, we will no longer accept changes to bank account information over the phone. Twitter.
- Tumulty, K. (2025, March 12). SCOOP: Social Security, facing pressure from DOGE, weighs big cuts to phone service. Twitter.
- Department of Government Efficiency. (2025, March 12). Today, @NIH cancelled the following grants: - $620K for "an LGB+ inclusive teen pregnancy prevention program for transgender boys". Twitter.
- Department of Government Efficiency. (2025, March 11). Various program cancellations and efficiency initiatives. DOGE.gov.
- Collins, D. (2025, Feb 26). We found nearly $2 billion in @DeptVetAffairs contracts that we'll be canceling so we can redirect the funds back to Veterans health care and benefits. Twitter.
- Martin, E. (2025, Feb 26). Duly noted. We are on it. Twitter.
- House Oversight. (2025, Feb 12). Hearing wrap-up: DOGE subcommittee's first hearing uncovers billions lost to fraud and improper payments, launches war on waste. House.gov.
- Zeldin, L. (2025, Mar 11). UPDATE: I am cancelling over 400 DEI and Environmental Justice grants across 9 grant programs totaling $1.7 BILLION. DOGE.gov.
- Rubio, M. (2025, Mar 10). After a 6 week review we are officially cancelling 83% of the programs at USAID. DOGE.gov.
- Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2025). HUD Secretary Turner announces over $260 million in savings. HUD.gov.
- Bilmes, L. (2025, January 15). What awaits the Department of Government Efficiency. Harvard Kennedy School.
Deep Dive Recommendations
Impact of USAID Program Cancellations on International Relations
Initial Query: How will the 83% reduction in USAID programs affect U.S. soft power and diplomatic relationships in strategic regions?
Reasoning: With USAID cutting over 5,200 contracts representing the vast majority of its programs, there may be significant diplomatic and geopolitical consequences that extend beyond the financial savings. This represents one of the most dramatic shifts in U.S. foreign aid policy in decades.
Context: USAID has historically been a key instrument of U.S. soft power and diplomatic influence. The massive scale of cancellations announced by Secretary Rubio will likely create voids in regions where other powers like China and Russia are actively expanding their influence through their own aid programs. Understanding the strategic implications of these cuts is crucial for assessing DOGE's full impact beyond fiscal metrics.
Legal Challenges to DOGE's Authority and Implementation
Initial Query: What legal challenges are emerging against DOGE's authority to implement widespread program cancellations and workforce reductions?
Reasoning: The rapid pace and scope of DOGE's actions raise significant questions about administrative law, federal employment protections, and congressional appropriations authority that could lead to court challenges limiting the initiative.
Context: Federal programs typically have various legal protections established by statute, and federal employees have rights under civil service laws. Several of DOGE's actions appear to bypass traditional processes for modifying or terminating federal programs. As these cancellations affect more stakeholders, the legal pushback will likely increase, potentially setting important precedents about executive authority in reorganizing government.
Service Delivery Impacts from Social Security Administration Changes
Initial Query: How are vulnerable populations being affected by the reduction in Social Security Administration's phone services and new security procedures?
Reasoning: Changes to SSA's phone service access directly impact millions of elderly and disabled Americans who rely on these services, potentially creating a tension between fraud prevention and accessibility.
Context: The Social Security Administration serves some of the most vulnerable Americans, many of whom have limited digital literacy or physical ability to use alternative service channels. While preventing fraud is important, the elimination of phone services for account changes and potential broader cuts to phone services could create significant barriers. This case study could illuminate the real-world trade-offs inherent in DOGE's efficiency initiatives.
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