The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced on Tuesday that it has canceled more than 200,000 government-issued credit cards as part of an effort to reduce administrative costs and streamline federal spending. The news was shared in a post on X, marking a significant move in the ongoing push to cut back on government expenditures.
Overseen by White House advisor Elon Musk, DOGE had previously revealed on February 18 that it was working closely with various agencies to consolidate credit card accounts, addressing inefficiencies and eliminating unnecessary spending. According to USA Today, the federal government managed a staggering 4.6 million credit cards, which accounted for nearly 90 million transactions in the fiscal year 2024 alone.
A week after DOGE’s announcement, President Donald Trump issued an executive order initiating what he called a “transformation in Federal spending.” The order included an immediate 30-day freeze on agency employee credit card use, setting the stage for a broader overhaul of government finances.
On Tuesday, DOGE released an update on the program, highlighting that it is actively auditing 16 federal agencies. Among those, the Health and Human Services Department and the Department of the Interior were noted for making “great progress” in implementing the new policies.
Both Trump and Musk have been vocal proponents of slashing government spending. Their vision includes a major reduction in the federal workforce, with previous reports indicating that more than 100,000 federal employees could be laid off as part of ongoing restructuring efforts.
The credit card freeze executive order makes exceptions for employees engaged in disaster relief or emergency response operations. According to the order, agency heads have the authority to determine whether certain critical services warrant exemptions from the freeze.
One of the more striking measures within the credit card restrictions is the Department of Defense’s new policy, which imposes a $1 spending limit on government travel credit cards for civilian employees. According to a memo dated March 5, the only exemptions will be for personnel traveling “in direct support of military operations or a permanent change of station.”
Trump has been outspoken in his support for Musk’s efforts to identify and eliminate wasteful government spending. Earlier this month, he commended the billionaire CEO, encouraging him to take an even more aggressive stance on financial oversight.
“ELON IS DOING A GREAT JOB, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM GET MORE AGGRESSIVE,” Trump posted on Truth Social, using his signature all-caps style. “REMEMBER, WE HAVE A COUNTRY TO SAVE, BUT ULTIMATELY, TO MAKE GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE. MAGA!”
Musk promptly responded, writing: “Will do, Mr. President!”
WATCH:
Beyond financial restructuring, Trump has also taken a firm stance on protecting American businesses from acts of vandalism and destruction. On Tuesday, he declared that attacks on Tesla dealerships would be considered acts of domestic terrorism, a decision that coincided with his purchase of a red Tesla, which he showcased at the White House.
Standing alongside Musk during a press conference, Trump vowed to take decisive action against those responsible for recent attacks on Tesla properties.
“I will do that. I’ll do it. I’m going to stop them … Those people are going to go through a big problem when we catch them,” Trump said when asked about the incidents.
He also made it clear that the administration had already identified some of the individuals involved. “We already know who some of them are,” Trump stated. “We’re gonna catch ’em. They’re bad guys. They’re the same guys that screw around with our schools and universities — the same garbage.”
Trump further emphasized that his commitment to cracking down on such attacks extended beyond Tesla, stating that any American company targeted by similar acts of violence would receive the same level of protection.
“Let me tell you, you do it to Tesla, you do it to any company, you’re gonna go through hell,” he warned.
In recent months, Tesla dealerships across several states—including Massachusetts, Colorado, New York, Oregon, and Washington—have reported instances of vandalism and sabotage. These attacks have raised concerns over the growing hostility toward Musk’s electric vehicle empire and have now drawn the direct attention of the White House.
As the government pushes forward with aggressive spending cuts and increased corporate protections, the collaboration between Trump and Musk continues to shape federal policies. Whether these measures will ultimately lead to a more efficient government or spark further controversy remains to be seen.
