Elon Musk’s so-called “nerd army” took control of the Department of Education on Tuesday, sparking a significant upheaval throughout the institution.
In a bold move led by his DOGE team, over $900 million in savings were identified through the termination of multiple contracts and grants, stirring both political and public debates.
The Daily Mail reported that Musk's team, including key lieutenants Akash Bobba and Ethan Shaotran, reportedly had prior access to the building, facilitating their unexpected operation.
According to insiders, 16 members of the DOGE team were involved, strategically working from the 6th floor of the Department of Education’s headquarters.
Representative Melanie Stansbury voiced concerns over the legality of the actions observed, stating, "They are in the building, on the 6th floor, canceling grants and contracts." She further added, "It's not legal. They know it's not legal. But they're doing it anyway."
The specific cuts made by DOGE have been substantial, with the department ending 89 contracts totaling approximately $881 million.
On top of these, 29 training grants focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), valued at around $101 million, were also canceled.
This action aligns with former President Donald Trump’s campaign pledges to dismantle parts of the federal government that he perceived as overridden with inefficiencies and liberal biases. Trump had hinted at this sort of drastic action during his presidency, planning a broader "workplace optimization initiative" across all federal agencies.
The Republican viewpoint, voiced by Speaker Mike Johnson, praises Musk's efforts as exposing governmental inefficiencies, hinting at further actions to come. "What Elon and the DOGE effort is doing right now is what Congress has been unable to do in recent years because the agencies have hidden some of this from us," Johnson stated.
Opposition has been swift and vocal. Democrats, led by Representatives Rosa DeLauro, Gerry Connolly, and Jamie Raskin, announced the formation of a special task force aimed at countering Musk’s and Trump's drastic governmental changes.
Stansbury has pushed for a judiciary response to what she sees as a violation of legal norms: "The only recourse we have right now is to go the courts." This sentiment has stirred further controversy and discussions on the scope of executive influence in governmental agencies.
A rally titled "Save the Civil Service" was also organized in Washington, DC, by government workers and supporters to protest these unauthorized modifications.
Meanwhile, tensions heightened as Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Maxine Waters, were blocked from entering the Department of Education on a significant decision-making day, escalating the situation further.
DOGE’s activities are not limited to the Department of Education. Their expansion into other federal agencies aims to reduce what they dub "wasteful expenditures," potentially reshaping the federal workforce significantly.
The White House has starkly criticized these actions. White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung commented dramatically on the incident, likening it to "a scene ripped straight out of Flowers in the Attic."
The implication of these events extends beyond immediate financial savings. It signals a major shift in how federal institutions may be managed and the potential legal battles and political fallout that could ensue from such unprecedented maneuvers.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the next steps from both Musk’s team and federal lawmakers. With a significant part of the government’s internal operations exposed to public scrutiny, the debate over the balance of power and efficiency in federal spending remains hotter than ever.