The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has intensified its scrutiny of federal agencies, focusing on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This initiative aligns with President Donald Trump’s directive to identify and eliminate government waste and fraud.
At CMS, DOGE officials have been granted read-only access to key payment and contracting systems to identify potential fraud and inefficiencies. The agency manages Medicare and Medicaid for 140 million Americans with a $1.5 trillion budget—22% of U.S. spending. CMS officials said two senior veterans are helping DOGE ensure compliance and find cost-cutting opportunities.
Elon Musk highlighted the CMS probe on X, stating, “Yeah, this is where the big money fraud is happening.” While the White House has not officially commented, sources indicate that the investigation could lead to major policy shifts in federal healthcare spending.
At NOAA, DOGE’s focus is on internal databases related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Employees were told to give a DOGE official edit access to intranet sites, including employee resource groups. Democrats worry dismantling DEI programs could hurt morale and recruitment. Acting Commerce Secretary Jeremy Pelter and acting NOAA Administrator Nancy Hann reportedly authorized the request.
NOAA employees must share personnel data, but climate research is excluded. Nonetheless, critics argue that the investigation could disrupt NOAA’s core functions, particularly in the lead-up to severe weather seasons.
The broader effort by DOGE reflects the Trump administration’s commitment to restructuring federal agencies and eliminating inefficiencies. If these reviews uncover significant issues, further reforms may follow, including budget reallocations and personnel changes. With CMS playing a critical role in healthcare policy and NOAA handling key scientific research, the long-term effects of these investigations remain to be seen.
