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INSIGHTS FROM @DOGE ON X FOR THOSE FEELING FEARFUL AND UNCERTAIN

As we venture into the third week of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, from February 3 to February 9, 2025, the pace of change continues to ramp up. DOGE’s actions, shared on X via @DOGE, include specific contract terminations, lease cancellations, and specific policy shifts that could possibly stir concerns for you. This blog post, backdated to February 10, 2025, breaks down each day’s updates, helping you understand what’s happening and why it might matter to you.

Daily Breakdown

Here’s what happened each day with X posts from @DOGE, and what it could mean for you as a Democrat who cares about America.

February 3, 2025 – Day 15: Consulting Contracts and Leases on the Chopping Block

What Happened: DOGE started the week with a focus on cutting consulting contracts and underutilized leases.

• Morning Update: “This morning, 20 consulting contracts, mostly focused on ‘strategic communication’ and ‘executive coaching,’ were terminated for immediate savings of $26mm.”
• Later Update: “Today’s number has increased to 22 consulting contract terminations for a total savings of ~$45mm. All in today, 36 contracts were terminated for a total savings of ~$165mm across 6 agencies, including a DHA contract for ‘people and culture survey and climate support services.’”

What It Means for You: The termination of consulting contracts, especially those related to communication and coaching, might signal a shift away from certain types of support or advisory services. The significant savings figure ($165mm) from 36 contracts suggests a broad sweep across multiple agencies.

February 4, 2025 – Day 16: More Contracts and Leases Terminated

What Happened: DOGE continued its efficiency drive with more contract and lease terminations.

• “Today: – 12 consulting contract terminations (in GSA and the Dept. of Education) for a total savings of ~$30mm, including a $23mm work order for ‘digital modernization Program Management Office support’. -12 underutilized lease cancellations for an annual savings of ~$3mm.”

How to See It: The Department of Education and GSA are seeing consulting contract terminations, which could affect educational programs or administrative functions. The cancellation of underutilized leases continues the trend of reducing overhead costs. While savings are being made, it’s important to remember that essential services aren’t compromised.

February 5, 2025 – Day 17: Targeting Gender Culture and Subscriptions

What Happened: On this day, DOGE made several specific moves, including addressing gender-related initiatives and canceling subscriptions.

• “The Social Security Administration has terminated its contract for the ‘Gender X initiative marker’ and removed all references to gender ideology from public facing applications. This saves > $1M and is in accordance with the President’s Executive Order: Executive Order on Gender Ideology“
• “Thanks so much to the Engineering, Finance, HR, InfoSec, Legal, Operations, and Real Estate teams for your dedication and the immense amount of high-quality work.”
• “NASA leadership has verified that this was cancelled today: NASA spent $500k on Politico subscriptions. And on the same date, Feb 5th, the subscriptions were cancelled.”
• “DOGE Commerce team looked for the applicable NWS website and it had already been removed. Thanks to the unknown hero. While the team was looking, DOGE Commerce team did make this change.”
• “Treasury leadership verified that their NYT contracts were cancelled today.”

Why It’s Worth Watching: The termination of the ‘Gender X initiative marker’ by SSA aligns with the President’s executive order on gender ideology, which might be a point of contention for a few people who were honestly depending on tax money to promote gender ideology. Otherwise, we’ll be fine.

The cancellation of Politico and NYT subscriptions by NASA and Treasury, respectively, suggests a move towards reducing expenditures on media outlets. The thanks to various teams indicate that internal operations are being streamlined efficiently.

February 6, 2025 – Day 18:

Staying Engaged

Week 3 saw DOGE making strides in cutting what most American voters deem unnecessary spending, from consulting contracts to specific policy initiatives. However if you’re concerned about the impact on diversity, inclusion, or essential services, here’s how to stay engaged:

• Follow @DOGE on X: Get direct updates to understand the changes as they happen.
• Connect with Like-Minded Communities: Share your thoughts and concerns with others who might be feeling the same.
• Contact Your Representatives: Make your voice heard on issues that matter to you, like education, healthcare, or social justice.
• Stay Updated with ‘DOGE Diaries’: Check back every Monday for a weekly recap and analysis.

Reassurance

Change is happening fast, and it’s natural to feel uneasy about the direction. However, by staying informed and involved, you can navigate these shifts more confidently. Remember, this is an evolving situation, and your input can make a difference.

DOGE Diaries: Your Weekly Guide to Government Efficiency Updates