The newly established Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, is reportedly considering a move to end remote work for federal employees as a cost-cutting measure. The initiative, known as DOGE, aims to reduce the federal workforce through attrition by requiring all federal employees to work in-office five days a week.
According to sources, the rationale behind this proposal is to encourage voluntary departures from federal workers, thereby saving government funds. The potential executive order to end remote work is seen as an early priority for DOGE, with conservative activist Charlie Kirk expected to serve as an unofficial adviser.
However, some federal employees who have been working remotely express concerns about the impact of this change on their lives. For instance, one employee from the Library of Congress mentioned that returning to the office would force them to uproot their life and potentially separate from their family.
Another federal worker highlighted the impracticality of commuting long distances to the nearest office if remote work is discontinued. This employee emphasized that such a change would lead to decreased productivity and could prompt them to resign.
Besides addressing remote work, DOGE is also exploring other cost-cutting measures through executive orders and long-term plans. Ramaswamy has indicated plans to cut funds for programs that Congress no longer authorizes but continue to receive appropriations, aiming to eliminate wasteful spending.
Musk and Ramaswamy are reportedly drawing insights from existing reports and government commissions focused on reducing government spending to guide their recommendations. The team is expected to be small and agile, with a focus on identifying areas for cuts across the federal government.
