Musk's efficiency department cancels 167 contracts, saving $115M

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) - The US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on Friday revealed the cancelation of 167 federal contracts, resulting in savings exceeding $100 million.

“Today’s contract update: 167 cancellations with savings of ~$115M, including a $2.23M contract for HHS for ‘equity assessments of existing program policies,’” the agency posted on X.

Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X, also shared the update on X, stating: “More of your tax dollars saved.”

US President Donald Trump and his administration initiated the mass firing of thousands of federal employees on Thursday, continuing efforts to reduce unnecessary government spending, according to multiple reports.

The mass firings of probationary employees followed the voluntary “deferred resignation” buyout plan offered to 77,000 federal workers, approved by a judge on Wednesday. However, this number represents just 3% of the 10% reduction target set to shrink the federal workforce.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) condemned the firings.

Other federal agencies have faced scrutiny from Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Musk, including the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which recently dismissed or placed thousands of employees on leave.

Musk and his DOGE team are expected to continue cutting what they term “wasteful spending” within the federal government.