A sweeping automation initiative backed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) may soon accelerate the pace of job cuts across U.S. federal agencies, according to Reuters on Thursday.
Dailyexe
contacted DOGE through its X, previously known as
Twitter
, provide feedback on Friday.
The rollout of a revamped software tool to identify redundant positions is moving ahead amid
Elon Musk
It seems like he has taken a step back from his daily responsibilities at DOGE, stating a need to redirect his focus.
Tesla
and his private ventures.
DOGE, launched in January through an executive order by President
Donald Trump
It is not a formal Cabinet-level department but rather an advisory group. Established with a wide-ranging mission to reduce federal expenditures, eliminate certain agencies, and optimize the governmental workforce by July 2026, it aims to enhance efficiency.
Musk, who serves as an unpaid special government employee, originally took part in shaping strategies and setting technological goals. He announced in April that starting from May, his involvement with DOGE would decrease to about one or two days per week.
A key focus for DOGE at present is the creation and implementation of AutoRIF, an automated system designed to replace the manual review process in governmental employee layoffs.
Why It Matters
Labor leaders and advocacy groups have sounded the alarm over the implementation of artificial intelligence in job-related choices, expressing concerns that tools such as AutoRIF might contravene civil service regulations and remove due process safeguards. DOGE has
faced multiple lawsuits
and at the very minimum, one judicial decree from a federal court
restricting access to private information
used in its reviews.
Transparency continues to be a key source of disagreement. Although DOGE asserts they have saved $160 billion, an April study by the
BBC
discovered that merely $61.5 billion was itemized, with only $32.5 billion attributable to traceable activities.
Despite strong
Republican
Support for DOGE’s initiatives aimed at reducing costs, Musk’s individual appeal still varies widely. A poll conducted by Pew Research in February revealed that 54 percent of Americans held an unfavorable view of the wealthy entrepreneur.
What Is AutoRIF?
AutoRIF is a software platform developed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) at the behest of DOGE. The name AutoRIF originates from “Reduction in Force,” which refers to large-scale job terminations.
The updated version expands upon a rarely utilized feature.
Pentagon
The tool will be transformed into a web-based system designed to identify roles for elimination without needing approval from supervisors like managers or periodic performance evaluations, as reported by Reuters.
DOGE hasn’t officially announced definite timeframes, however, internal informants informed Reuters that the introduction of new users would start in the upcoming weeks.
How Many Jobs Has Dogecoin Eliminated So Far?
Although it is still uncertain whether any layoffs have been specifically caused by AutoRIF, DOGE’s overall mission has led to significant staffing decreases.
As reported by The Hill earlier this month, approximately 283,172 layoffs were linked to “DOGE Actions” during the initial four months of 2025. Additionally, around 6,945 more positions were eliminated due to “DOGE Downstream Impact,” which refers to secondary consequences affecting non-profit groups and educational institutions.
Combined, these measures related to Dogecoin (DOGE) make up almost fifty percent of all employment reductions reported in the U.S. over that timeframe. The most significant reduction happened in March, with over 216,000 federal workers being laid off.
In parallel, individual agencies are also planning deep cuts. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is set to
trim up to 80,000 positions
.
What People Are Saying
Nick Bednar, who serves as an associate professor of law at the University of Minnesota,
who has been monitoring the government layoffs, informed Reuters that the instrument would enable departments to “eliminate a significant number of federal workers from their roles” once operational.
Elon Musk
, in a February appearance at the White House, defended DOGE’s mission, saying it reflected the public’s call for reform, while denying he was leading a “hostile takeover” of the government, as claimed by
Senate
Minority Leader
Chuck Schumer
a Democratic representative from New York.
What Happens Next?
Even with Musk stepping back, DOGE’s mission goes on, and its influence is expected to expand as organizations adopt the automated systems he assisted in establishing.
Senators from the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee have been more closely examining DOGE’s operations lately. As the top senator for this committee and a Democratic representative from Michigan, Senator Gary Peters has dispatched letters to various federal departments asking them to provide information regarding DOGE’s permissions to use their internal IT infrastructure and data storage facilities.
In a distinct move, Peters along with multiple Senate allies demanded in February for an urgent halt to the operations of DOGE within federal agencies. They raised worries regarding legality, transparency, and the possible abuse of power.
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