The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) continues its mission to cut government waste, reportedly laying off 3,600 probationary Health and Human Services (HHS) employees last Friday. According to Fox News, a significant portion of HHS staff remained untouched, but the move is expected to save taxpayers approximately $600 million per year.

This latest action comes amid a broader effort led by DOGE chief Elon Musk to downsize the bloated federal government. The agency has already terminated costly diversity, equity, and inclusion contracts, cut unnecessary consulting deals, and ended federal subscriptions to establishment media outlets.

In addition to laying off HHS workers, over 65,000 federal employees have accepted President Donald Trump’s recent buyout offer, according to Breitbart News. These measures have sparked fierce opposition from Democrats, who are reportedly preparing to fight back in the next government spending battle.

The backlash appears to stem from DOGE’s newly granted access to the federal payment system, allowing it to track government spending more effectively. Democrats have also expressed frustration over Trump’s defunding of agencies like USAID and his administration’s efforts to streamline federal staffing.

Despite the controversy, former Government Accountability Office head David Walker praised DOGE’s efforts in a recent interview, emphasizing that such reforms are necessary. However, he also called for increased transparency to bolster public trust in the department’s work.

The Department of Defense is proactively identifying areas for potential budget reductions in response to anticipated recommendations from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This initiative, led by Elon Musk and established by President Donald Trump, aims to streamline federal operations and reduce unnecessary expenditures.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has expressed support for DOGE’s involvement in auditing the Pentagon’s budget. In preparation, military branches are compiling lists of programs and assets considered redundant or outdated.

The Army, for instance, is evaluating drones and vehicles produced in surplus, which could result in savings of billions of dollars. Army spokesman Col. Dave Butler stated, “We’re taking a proactive approach to making our spending more efficient,…There are several systems that we know won’t survive on the modern battlefield.”