The so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk and Donald Trump caused upheaval and chaos throughout Washington. Tasked with—according to its leaders—maximizing productivity and efficiency, DOGE’s approach may seem unprecedented, but stripping down government functioning is anything but a new idea. Rather, DOGE is one more piece of a decades-long attack on public sector institutions that, under the guise of fiscal responsibility, seeks to create a government that is more dependent on the private sector, less dedicated to the well-being of its citizens, and ultimately, less democratic. Examples from the past century show how governments that adopt austerity policies pull back on essential services, erode workers’ rights and labor conditions, and serve corporations and the ultra-rich.
On June 24, 2025 the Roosevelt Institute hosted a critical conversation on the roots and repercussions of this moment. Experts on history, economics, and democratic institutions explained how austerity policies harm everyday Americans and offer bold alternatives for a government that truly uses all its resources to serve the people.