The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has slashed $2.8 billion in wasteful government contracts in just one week, putting $470 million back into taxpayers’ pockets while targeting bizarre programs like transgender teen pregnancy prevention and “decolonized” curricula.
Key Takeaways
- DOGE terminated 312 wasteful contracts valued at $2.8 billion in just one week, generating $470 million in actual taxpayer savings
- Notable canceled contracts included a $286,000 DoD entrepreneurship course at Harvard and a $485,000 USAID advisor position in Madagascar
- DOGE has saved approximately $180 billion in government spending as of June 3, equivalent to $1,118 per American taxpayer
- The agency eliminated several questionable programs, including a $620,000 teen pregnancy prevention program for transgender boys
- The House passed HR 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025, to codify DOGE’s cuts, which now awaits Senate approval
Millions Saved Through Contract Cancellations
In a significant move toward fiscal responsibility, the Department of Government Efficiency has demonstrated remarkable progress in eliminating government waste. According to information shared by DOGE on June 26 via social media, government agencies have terminated hundreds of contracts deemed unnecessary or excessive. “Over the past seven days, various government agencies have terminated 312 ‘wasteful contracts’ with a ceiling value of $2.8 billion,” reported the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Among the notable terminated contracts was a Department of Defense agreement worth $286,000 for an entrepreneurship course at Harvard University. Another eliminated contract was a $485,000 USAID position for a senior advisor in Madagascar. These cancellations represent just a fraction of the ongoing effort to curtail excessive government spending that has been draining taxpayer resources for decades. The initiative has targeted programs across multiple departments, with significant contributions from Health and Human Services, State Department, Defense Department, General Services Administration, and Department of Education.
Billions in Taxpayer Savings
DOGE’s cost-cutting measures extend far beyond the contracts canceled last week. As of June 3, the department has saved an estimated $180 billion in government spending, which translates to approximately $1,118 per taxpayer. These savings have been achieved through various methods including contract and lease cancellations, renegotiations, grant terminations, elimination of fraudulent payments, asset sales, and workforce reductions. The strategy represents a comprehensive approach to eliminating wasteful spending across the federal government.
“On May 30, Musk and President Donald Trump appeared at the Oval Office, with the president crediting the entrepreneur for bringing “a colossal change in the old ways of doing business in Washington,”” said President Donald Trump.
Some of the most substantial savings have come from canceling major funding initiatives that were deemed unnecessary or poorly managed. These include $2.9 billion for a refugee resettlement program, $1.9 billion for a Treasury technology program, and $1.7 billion for a USAID grant program. The scale of these cuts demonstrates the extraordinary level of waste that had become normalized in government operations before President Trump directed DOGE to take action. Each terminated program represents money that can now be redirected to more essential services or returned to taxpayers.
Targeting Wasteful “Woke” Programs
Among the most controversial programs eliminated by DOGE were those classified as “strangest, most baffling uses” of taxpayer money. These included a $620,000 teen pregnancy prevention program specifically for transgender boys—a program that defies biological reality while wasting substantial resources. Additionally, DOGE canceled a $10 million “curriculum decolonization” initiative that promoted divisive ideological content rather than educational fundamentals. These cuts align with the administration’s commitment to eliminating programs that prioritize woke ideology over practical benefits to citizens.
“fiscal sanity,” said David Burton, Senior Fellow at The Heritage Foundation
The future of DOGE’s initiatives appears secure despite leadership changes. After Elon Musk’s departure following his 130-day mandate, Amy Gleason has taken the helm to continue the department’s critical work. The House Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency recently held hearings advocating for the codification of DOGE’s spending cuts to ensure their permanence. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized the importance of institutionalizing these reforms to fight waste, fraud, and abuse within the federal government for generations to come.
Legislative Action to Secure Savings
To cement these gains, the House has passed HR 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025, which codifies many of DOGE’s spending cuts into law. The bill now awaits Senate approval and the President’s signature. David Burton from The Heritage Foundation noted during testimony that while DOGE’s recommendations are valuable, actual savings require Congressional action to make them permanent. This legislative approach ensures that the progress made in eliminating government waste will continue regardless of future administrative changes.
DOGE’s success represents a fundamental shift in how government approaches spending. By targeting wasteful contracts across departments and eliminating ideologically-driven programs that provide minimal value to citizens, the Trump administration has demonstrated that significant cost reductions are possible without compromising essential services. The $470 million saved in just one week shows the potential for ongoing fiscal responsibility that benefits every American taxpayer rather than funding bureaucratic excess and ideological pet projects.
