The US government has launched a new agency called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce spending. According to its website, it has saved Alabama taxpayers over $5 million by closing six federal offices and cut at least 100 federal employees. However, some experts question the accuracy of these claims.
DOGE claims to have saved national taxpayers $55 billion since its creation. But an NPR analysis found that this number is likely exaggerated by several billion dollars. The agency lists the closure of various federal offices across Alabama, including offices for the National Labor Relations Board, Social Security Administration, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. However, some experts say the data used to calculate these savings is misleading.
Dustin Gautney, a spokesperson for the US Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District, expressed difficulties in verifying the validity of DOGE’s claims due to lease termination records. The agency also recently cut 100 federal employees who work on social security administration contracts in Birmingham. US Rep. Terri Sewell has received reports that some of her constituents were unjustly terminated.
As the validity of DOGE’s savings claims continues to be questioned, experts warn that the data used may be overemphasizing maximum possible contract cancellations and ignoring already budgeted funds.
Source: https://www.al.com/politics/2025/02/elon-musk-claims-doge-is-saving-52-million-on-alabama-federal-buildings-here-are-the-properties.html