US President, Donald Trump, has signed an executive order aimed at formalizing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a commission led by billionaire entrepreneur, Elon Musk. The commission, which proposes major budget cuts and agency reforms, may soon become an integral part of federal operations. However, its validity remains uncertain as legal challenges have arisen.

The executive order changes the name of the US Digital Service (USDS) to the US DOGE Service while retaining the acronym. Originally founded by former US President Barack Obama to modernize the technology, USDS will now focus on Musk’s DOGE vision. It includes a detailed software modernization plan to improve aging government IT systems and infrastructure.

At the signing ceremony, Trump outlined plans for DOGE teams within federal agencies. Each team will have at least four members, including a team leader, an engineer, a human resources specialist and a lawyer. Agency heads have been directed to establish these teams within 30 days and collaborate with DOGE to streamline operations.

A temporary organization, the US DOGE Service Temporary Organization, has also been created. Its mandate is to advance Trump’s 18-month DOGE agenda, with an expiration date set for July 4, 2026. Trump insisted that all DOGE-related initiatives must be finished by that date, ahead of the Ohio gubernatorial election in November later that year.

Despite Trump’s confidence in the plan, DOGE faces legal and political hurdles. Critics have already filed three lawsuits accusing the commission of violating the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), which mandates transparency and balanced representation in advisory groups. Democracy Forward has criticized it as a shadow campaign lacking transparency. National security advisers argue that DOGE bypasses proper advisory processes. Meanwhile, Public Citizen, the State Democracy Defenders Fund, and the American Federation of Government Employees claim that DOGE members fail to represent the interests of ordinary Americans. These lawsuits argue that DOGE did not comply with these requirements under Musk’s leadership.

Elon Musk initially suggested that the DOGE proposals could save up to $2 trillion by cutting waste, eliminating unnecessary agencies, and reducing the federal workforce. However, he later tempered these claims by acknowledging the complexity of such goals. Reports indicate that DOGE is exploring controversial measures, such as repealing the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and restructuring it with the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Musk has also proposed eliminating the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a move that has been heavily criticized by experts.

The commission’s journey has not been without drama. Co-leader Vivek Ramaswamy leaves DOGE after reported disagreements with Elon Musk. He is now expected to run for governor of Ohio, further raising the political stakes for the initiative.