Federal Overhaul: DOGE Takes Aim at Spending and Transportation Safety
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under the leadership of Elon Musk, has launched a high-profile review of spending practices at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), officials confirmed. This move arrives amid growing scrutiny over the agency’s oversight and financial accountability.
In a bold step to revamp the nation’s transportation infrastructure, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that DOGE personnel will join forces with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to modernize the country’s aging aviation systems. This decision follows a string of alarming aircraft incidents, including multiple in-flight emergencies involving Boeing planes and ongoing technical troubles with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft during its crewed missions to the International Space Station.
The announcement sparked debate online, with critics questioning whether DOGE staff possess the specialized aviation and infrastructure expertise required for such a critical mission. Addressing these concerns, Secretary Duffy emphasized the urgent need for reform, highlighting how decades of bureaucratic inefficiencies have hampered the nation’s infrastructure progress.
Adding fuel to the fire, DOGE’s ongoing audit has uncovered questionable financial practices in prior USAID funding—though details remain under wraps pending further investigation.
During his recent Senate confirmation hearing, Duffy underscored aviation safety as a top priority. He pledged close collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Congress to strengthen regulatory oversight and restore public confidence in U.S. aerospace giants like Boeing.
“We must ensure the FAA delivers on its safety commitments and rebuilds trust in our aviation system,” Duffy told the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In related news, Duffy reassured lawmakers that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will continue its independent probe into Tesla’s advanced driver-assistance systems. This investigation runs in parallel to Elon Musk’s dual roles at Tesla and DOGE.
The Department of Transportation has also faced heavy criticism for its response to recent transportation disasters, including the catastrophic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which triggered a massive chemical spill. Investigators traced the cause to mechanical failures involving Norfolk Southern, the rail carrier responsible for operations at the time.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) clarified that operational accountability for the derailment lies with Norfolk Southern, not federal officials.
Together, DOGE’s rigorous audit and renewed focus on transportation safety signal a fresh, technology-driven approach to tackling the country’s longstanding infrastructure challenges — aiming for more transparency, efficiency, and public trust in America’s critical systems.