$Millions Vanish: Feds Slash Card Waste

Smartphone displaying Doge logo over dollar bills

DOGE slashes 610,000 unused government credit cards in a massive cost-cutting campaign, marking a 13% reduction in federal spending cards within just 14 weeks of implementation.

Key Takeaways

  • The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has eliminated over 610,000 government credit cards, representing 13% of all federal credit cards within just 14 weeks.
  • This initiative is part of President Trump’s broader strategy to reduce government waste and inefficiency across 55 federal agencies.
  • Federal employees previously had access to approximately 4.6 million government credit cards for official purchases and transactions.
  • The credit card reduction program began with an executive order in February that froze most agency employee credit cards, with exceptions for critical services.
  • DOGE continues implementing efficiency measures despite the departure of its former leader, Elon Musk, who left the White House in May.

Massive Reduction in Government Credit Cards

President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has successfully eliminated over 610,000 unused government credit cards in just 14 weeks, marking one of the largest overhauls of federal spending mechanisms in recent years. This initiative represents a 13% reduction in the total pool of approximately 4.6 million credit cards previously available to federal employees. The program, which began earlier this year, has expanded to include audits across 55 federal agencies as part of the administration’s commitment to reining in wasteful government spending and increasing accountability for taxpayer dollars.

The credit card reduction initiative stems from an executive order issued in February that implemented a freeze on most agency employee credit cards, though critical services received necessary exemptions. By targeting unused or “redundant credit cards,” DOGE is addressing a key area of potential waste without disrupting essential government functions. The program has proceeded methodically, with an earlier update confirming 523,000 card cancellations before reaching the current total of 610,000, demonstrating the ongoing effectiveness of this cost-cutting measure.

Understanding the Role of Government Credit Cards

While the reduction in government credit cards represents significant progress in controlling federal spending, these cards do serve important functions within government operations when properly managed. They provide federal agencies with the ability to make necessary purchases efficiently while maintaining oversight of expenditures. The challenge has been identifying which cards are truly essential and which represent redundant or unused resources that contribute to administrative bloat and create opportunities for waste or misuse.

“These aren’t your typical consumer credit cards. We’re looking at lifelines for federal agencies—cards that keep the lights on, quite literally. Need to book a last-minute flight for a critical meeting? There’s a card for that. Emergency maintenance part for a military vehicle? Yep, another card. Office supplies for a research lab working on something that could change the world? You guessed it—another card,” said Michael Ryan.

Jessica Childress, another expert on government operations, emphasized the practical role these cards play, noting that “These cards are the ways that many government workers are performing the duties they’ve taken an oath to perform. It facilitates the ability of these employees to do their jobs.” While acknowledging their utility, the Trump administration has demonstrated that a significant percentage of these cards were unnecessary, creating an opportunity for substantial cost savings without compromising essential government functions.

Continued Efficiency Measures Under DOGE

The Department of Government Efficiency continues to implement various cost-saving measures across the federal government, even after the departure of its initial leader, Elon Musk, who left the White House in May. The success of the credit card reduction program demonstrates that DOGE’s mission remains on track. The department is now examining additional areas where federal resources can be used more efficiently, including the elimination of redundant phone services in cooperation with the General Services Administration, further highlighting the administration’s commitment to responsible fiscal management.

“The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) indicated that it is still working to make changes in federal agencies, including cutting government credit card accounts,” according to the DOGE.

This credit card reduction initiative represents just one component of President Trump’s broader strategy to decrease government size and cost while improving efficiency. By targeting specific areas of waste and implementing targeted solutions, the administration is demonstrating that government operations can become more streamlined without sacrificing effectiveness. The successful cancellation of over 610,000 credit cards provides a tangible example of how systematic review and strategic cuts can yield significant results in controlling federal spending, delivering on the President’s promise to taxpayers to run government more like a business.