The newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has proudly announced a significant savings of over $1 billion for taxpayers. This achievement comes from the cancellation of 104 contracts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

As of midweek, DOGE reported the termination of 85 DEI contracts spanning 25 federal agencies. By Friday, this number had risen to 104, resulting in a total savings of $1,000,060,792, according to a statement released by DOGE.

Remarkably, the Office of Personnel Management had only three contracts terminated, yet these amounted to $494,956,233 in savings, translating to an average of approximately $165 million per DEI contract.

The agencies most affected by these cuts included the Department of Agriculture with 11 cancellations, alongside the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of Homeland Security, each with seven contracts terminated.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 60 employees whose roles focused solely on DEI initiatives were placed on administrative leave. As the spokesperson Morgan Ackley stated, the focus is now on “providing the best possible care and benefits to Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.”

Updated data on DEI related contract cancellations with full detail: https://t.co/hEBk62KQvN pic.twitter.com/kcPATigb3x

— Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) January 31, 2025

Ackles further expressed pride in moving away from DEI policies, opting instead to focus back on the VA’s core mission.

These rapid decisions to cut DEI contracts came shortly after President Donald Trump signed an executive order aiming to put an end to these initiatives, describing it as a move to “end illegal discrimination and restore merit-based opportunity.”

Despite these changes, a group of liberal state attorneys general criticized the actions, warning that such moves don’t address true discrimination issues. Led by Rhode Island AG Peter Neronha, their joint statement claimed the orders dismantling DEI were “unnecessary and disingenuous.” The group, including attorneys general from states like California, New York, and Massachusetts, stated their willingness to help tackle discrimination through existing civil rights laws.

In their defense, these policies, the statement argued, do not undermine merit or lower employment standards but aim to ensure fair access and opportunities, contributing to organizational success.

Within Congress, proactive efforts by Rep. Aaron Bean and Sen. Joni Ernst are underway to further scrutinize government expenditures and misuse.

Rep. Bean, from Florida, spearheaded the creation of the Congressional DOGE Caucus last November, while Sen. Ernst from Iowa, drove initiatives to encourage workspace optimization and cost efficiency by advocating for the sale of underutilized federal office space and the reinforcement of in-office work for federal employees.

This significant move by DOGE marks a concerted effort to tackle inefficiencies and save taxpayer dollars, while fueling ongoing political debates regarding the role and necessity of DEI programs within government operations.

This initiative touches on deeply rooted issues of fairness and equality in the workplace, and the outcome of DOGE’s actions may set a precedent for future government policies and initiatives.

As discussions continue, the country waits to see how these changes will impact both the federal workforce and the broader discourse on diversity and inclusion in America.