The Department of Government Efficiency: Cutting Waste, Saving Taxpayer Dollars
When President Trump returned to the White House, he made it clear — the days of bloated, unaccountable government were over. One of his first major actions was creating the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — a no-nonsense watchdog agency with a single mission: root out waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government and return those savings to the American people.
In just 100 days, DOGE has already made waves — and headlines — for uncovering massive waste across multiple federal departments. Here are just a few of the early wins:
1. $1.2 Billion in Misused Pandemic Funds Recovered
One of the first investigations DOGE launched was into the misuse of COVID-era emergency relief funds. What they found was staggering: billions of dollars were sent to “nonexistent” businesses, shell companies, and even foreign nationals who had no right to the money. In one high-profile bust, DOGE agents discovered a network of fake companies operating out of abandoned buildings in New Jersey and Queens — companies that had received over $50 million in relief funds.
Thanks to swift action, the DOJ is now pressing charges, and over $1.2 billion has already been recovered and reallocated to programs that help veterans and small business owners — including many right here in Long Island.
2. The Pentagon Office with 47 Credit Cards and No Oversight
In a bombshell report, DOGE exposed a rogue procurement office within the Pentagon that was operating with 47 different government credit cards, used to make unauthorized purchases ranging from luxury travel and dinners to office furniture that cost more than a car.
DOGE’s audit revealed that over $89 million was spent with virtually zero accountability. The office has since been shut down, and all cardholders are under investigation. The funds recovered are now being redirected to equipment upgrades for National Guard units, including those stationed across New York State.
3. $400 Million “Green Grant” Boondoggle Terminated
DOGE uncovered a so-called “clean energy initiative” funded by the Department of Energy that funneled $400 million to a politically connected company that promised a revolutionary solar panel design — but produced nothing but quarterly reports and expensive PowerPoints.
The company, which had offices in Manhattan but no physical production anywhere in the country, was quietly liquidating equipment when DOGE agents arrived. Trump immediately canceled the program, calling it “another Solyndra 2.0,” and redirected the funds toward real infrastructure projects, including water system upgrades in Long Island’s older towns like Babylon and Hempstead.
4. IRS Bonus Abuse Program Dismantled
DOGE also turned its eye to internal government perks — and what they found at the IRS was enough to outrage any taxpayer. Despite underperformance and a backlog of over 10 million filings, IRS managers were handing out bonuses to themselves and their staff using a loophole buried in a 2011 internal memo.
The practice cost taxpayers $58 million annually, with some IRS employees receiving five-figure bonuses while failing to meet basic job standards. The Trump administration swiftly closed the loophole, and the money saved is now helping fund tax clinics for small business owners and self-employed workers, especially in communities like Hicksville, Riverhead, and Albany, where local entrepreneurs were struggling with federal red tape.
A Culture of Accountability is Back
What makes DOGE different isn’t just the investigations — it’s the speed and transparency. Every month, the department publishes a “Waste Watch Report” detailing where the money is going, what’s being recovered, and who’s being held accountable.
This is a breath of fresh air for taxpayers across the country — especially in a state like New York, where residents pay some of the highest taxes in the nation. Under Trump, and with the DOGE watchdogs on patrol, there’s finally real relief and oversight.
In fact, the Long Island Taxpayer Association praised the creation of DOGE, calling it “the first real check on federal waste we’ve seen in over a decade.” And with new whistleblower protections being rolled out, more and more insiders are stepping forward, fueling the momentum.
A Cabinet That Works — And Gets Results
Trump assembled a powerhouse cabinet — not of career politicians, but of people who know how to lead, manage, and solve problems. From the Secretary of Energy to the Attorney General, these are people who get things done.
They’ve already launched reforms in education, energy, agriculture, and veterans' affairs. And for New York, where so many families depend on strong schools, affordable energy, and accessible healthcare, these changes are long overdue.
A New Day for New York and America
President Trump’s first 100 days have been about action — not talk. Results — not excuses. And while the media keeps spinning, real Americans are seeing real change.
Here in New York, and especially on Long Island, the Trump agenda is bringing hope, stability, and strength back into everyday life. Whether you’re running a small business in Hempstead, raising a family in Bay Shore, or commuting into the city from Ronkonkoma, you can feel the difference.
There’s still a long road ahead, but make no mistake — the course correction has begun. The America First agenda is alive and well, and it’s already lifting up the Empire State.
And as we look forward to the 250th anniversary of our great nation, we do so with pride, with purpose, and with a renewed belief that the best days of America — and New York — are still to come.