DOGE Targets USAID and Launches Employee Buyout Offers
What Happened:
On February 2, 2025, DOGE shifted its focus to one of its first major targets: the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Key Details:
• Elon Musk tweeted that USAID was a “criminal organization” and declared it “time for it to die,” signaling an aggressive move to dismantle what he considered a bloated agency.
• At the same time, DOGE issued a government-wide buyout offer, encouraging federal employees to resign early. Over 40,000 workers accepted the offer, a clear indication of the disruptive impact DOGE’s tactics were already having.
• These actions were part of a broader effort to cut redundant spending and reallocate resources by reducing the federal workforce.
By targeting USAID and offering buyouts, DOGE sought to create immediate fiscal savings while sending a strong message about the administration’s commitment to cutting waste.