DOGE Cuts Billions in Spending, Axing Climate and Gender Programs Abroad

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has taken another swing at federal spending, announcing the termination of 113 contracts valued at $4.7 billion on Tuesday. Among the cuts was a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) consulting contract worth $145,000 for climate change activities in Peru.

In a post on X, DOGE declared that the cancellations would result in $3.3 billion in savings. According to the department, the move to slash expenses reflects its commitment to eliminating "wasteful contracts."

The Department of Labor also joined the budget-cutting spree, canceling $577 million worth of grants, saving taxpayers $237 million. Among the programs axed were $10 million for "gender equity in the Mexican workplace," $12.2 million for "worker empowerment in South America," and $6.25 million for "improving respect for workers' rights in agricultural supply chains" across Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador.

Other notable eliminations include $5 million for advancing women's workplace participation in West Africa, $4.3 million for aiding migrant workers in Malaysia, $3 million for Social Security access for internal migrant workers in Bangladesh, and another $3 million for promoting safe and inclusive work environments in Lesotho.

DOGE, helmed by Elon Musk, was created earlier this year by executive order under President Donald Trump. The agency, a temporary body within the White House, was tasked with optimizing federal operations, cutting unnecessary spending, and streamlining government processes within an ambitious 18-month timeframe.

The department has not shied away from controversy, canceling numerous diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, consulting contracts, leases for underused federal buildings, and duplicative programs. Critics, however, argue that DOGE’s sweeping authority over federal systems raises concerns about its ability to unilaterally terminate contracts and reshape agency budgets.

As of March 26, DOGE claims to have saved Americans a whopping $130 billion—or $807.45 per taxpayer—through its cost-cutting efforts.

While some hail the agency’s efficiency-focused approach, others question whether the cuts may undermine critical international and domestic programs. But hey, it seems DOGE isn’t here to make friends; it’s here to save dollars, wherever possible—even if that means axing alpaca farms in Peru along the way.