In an executive order creating the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), President Donald Trump described his vision for a leaner federal apparatus as an ideal anniversary present for the nation. DOGE, led initially by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, shuttered on July 4 after failing to meet its promised $2 trillion in taxpayer savings, instead reporting $215 billion. Both leaders departed before the closure, and the White House, according to spokespeople, has no plans to issue a final accounting of the department’s impact. Experts cited in reports argue the cuts increased government inefficiency and harmed public trust, while the Trump administration maintains it made progress eliminating waste.