Technology
In a recently released executive order (EO), the Trump administration has called upon the Department of government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative informed by Elon Musk aimed at substantially reducing federal expenditures, to design a “centralized technological framework” across all agencies to manage contract and grant allocations.
as part of the implementation of these systems,agency personnel who authorized individual contract and grant disbursements will be required to submit a writen rationale for their approvals. Agency leaders will have the authority to “halt and conduct an immediate review” of any expenditure for which approving personnel have not provided justification, according to the EO.
The EO further directs agency heads, with assistance from DOGE, to establish procedures that “centrally manage” recognition of federally funded travel for conferences and other “non-essential” activities. Once these procedures are operational, agency staff will need to provide written justifications for “non-essential” travel expenses related to conferences as stipulated in the text of the order.
This action represents the latest extension of DOGE’s already broad authority over federal spending practices. Earlier this month, DOGE sent out a communication urging federal employees to detail their work activities from last week or risk termination. Reportedly, DOGE intends to input this information into an AI algorithm designed to determine whether anyoneS work is mission-critical or not.
DOGE was established through an EO signed by President Trump on January 20th,renaming the U.S. Digital Service as DOGE and appointing teams of “special government employees” throughout federal agencies. Composed mainly of predominantly younger private-sector workers from Musk’s companies and affiliates, DOGE has largely evaded oversight raising concerns about whether cybersecurity and privacy protocols are being adhered to.
