Photo courtesy of Alex Brandon/AP News
On January 20th 2025, US President Donald Trump established the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in an attempt to cut back on federal spending. Trump appointed tech mogul, Elon Musk, as the department’s head. DOGE’s mission is to reduce spending by minimizing the government workforce, renegotiating government contracts and lease agreements, and consolidating duplicative programs.
While DOGE has stated goals to cut waste, they have sparked significant controversy due to their initial budget cuts that many claim are driven by personal political motivation rather than fiscal responsibility.
One of its most controversial policies has been to root out diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across the US. This resonates with Ambrose students, many who express a deep sense of distrust toward both the government and the way DOGE is handling their initiatives. They voiced their concerns about the current administration, DOGE, and Elon Musk’s leadership, questioning the effectiveness of the intentions behind their initiatives.
SAU freshman Piper Woodhurst, says she is “not a fan” of Musk and his recent DEI elimination. She says she benefits from these programs. “This is not an area to be taking (funding) away from.” She also says she believes Musk and other officials in Trump’s cabinet do not have the proper experience.
“They’re not thinking. They have no reason, background, or the knowledge to be in their current positions.” She pointed to Robert F Kennedy Jr, the US Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, saying that he is not a doctor and does not have the proper education to be filling such a role. Many have expressed concern about his handling of the unfolding measles epidemic in Texas.
Even those who are politically indifferent, like SAU junior Emmett O’Brien, say he finds DOGE to be untrustworthy. “When it comes to the government, I don’t think they’re honest about anything.” O’Brien also says he “doesn’t love or hate Elon Musk,” but acknowledges that cuts to DEI programs do not directly affect him.
Mike Hughes, another SAU student, expressed a need to address the federal budget and the current pace of the government, but he says it’s being done carelessly. “It seems reckless at the scale and speed in which this is moving. Obviously, there is a level of government bloat that needs to be dealt with, and it’s good to grease the wheels and make things work faster, but to take a cut and undermine a lot of the systems people have literally died to fight for is utterly reckless and completely disconnected.”
Hughes also says he finds his temperament to be less than amusing. “I do not like Elon Musk. I think he is short-sighted and posts on Twitter (X) the way a 15-year-old would post. I don’t think that someone with that level of maturity is a good thing to have in government.” Hughes also says there is a lack of transparency in Musk’s own companies. “I do not trust Elon Musk as far as I can throw him. He runs his businesses for his own personal profit and cares only about things that he has a deep financial interest in.”
Kassidy Sutherland is a staff writer for The Buzz.
