The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) task force has swiftly reclaimed $1.9 billion in misallocated funds.
Fox News reported that the sensational recovery, overseen by HUD Secretary Scott Turner since its recent inception, highlights major strides toward fiscal responsibility and operational efficiency within the federal agency.
Following a strategic directive from President Donald Trump, Scott Turner, inaugurated as HUD Secretary on February 5, 2025, took immediate action towards promoting governmental efficiency.
His ambitious initiative led to the formation of the DOGE task force, primarily aimed at scrutinizing and optimizing the expenditure of taxpayer dollars within HUD.
The task force has the crucial job of ensuring that all agency programs, processes, and personnel align with HUD's overarching mission. This alignment is key to achieving maximum efficiency and purposeful utilization of resources, thus maximizing both the budget and operational effectiveness.
Turner publicized the establishment of the DOGE task force on a Thursday, marking a significant step in amplifying departmental accountability.
By Friday, the task force had already reported substantial fiscal recoveries, totaling nearly $2 billion, primarily from funds allocatively wrongly during the prior administration.
This significant recapture was owed to a meticulous review of funds originally set aside for financial service administration, which were deemed no longer necessary.
The successful recovery led to these funds being redirected to the U.S. Department of Treasury, ready to be utilized in more urgent or effective areas. This act of prudent financial management underscores the task force's commitment to rectifying past administrative oversights and improving current financial practices.
HUD's internal team comprises the core of the DOGE task force, with a direct reporting line to Secretary Turner. This structural decision ensures that the efforts to uncover inefficiencies are deeply integrated and closely monitored at the highest levels of departmental leadership.
Reiterating the task force’s achievements, Turner highlighted the identification of an additional $260 million in potential savings since the task force began its operations.
These identified savings demonstrate the ongoing potential for improvement and cost-efficiency within the agency.
"HUD will be detailed and deliberate about every dollar spent to serve rural, tribal, and urban communities. 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," Turner stated, emphasizing the renewed focus on diligent financial stewardship.
The Secretary also shared insights into specific adjustments, such as the cancellation of a $50 million grant to the Climate Justice Alliance. Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin, expressed concerns about the organization's alignment with taxpayer interests, citing controversial political stances related to climate justice advocacy.
In line with President Trump’s executive order, efforts to enhance efficiency are not isolated to HUD. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, indicated an imminent collaboration with the DOGE task force to adapt analogous measures in the Defense Department, which also commands a substantial federal budget.
"We will partner with them. It's long overdue. The Defense Department's got a huge budget, but it needs to be responsible," Hegseth conveyed during an interview with Fox News.
This cross-departmental initiative underscores a government-wide push towards transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
As confirmed by the early successes and ongoing efforts of DOGE, the trajectory of federal agency management is set towards significant reform, aimed at ensuring that every taxpayer dollar is meticulously accounted for and judiciously spent.