In an effort to slash government spending, President Trump has asked the world’s richest man, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, to lead his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In turn, Musk and his team have spent the first few weeks of Trump’s second term waging a largely unchecked war on the federal bureaucracy.

As unique a figure as the Elon Musk is, his status in the Trump administration is far from unprecedented and his government efficiency agency isn’t even new.

Since taking office for his second term, President Donald Trump has issued a number of orders which included establishing the Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE. This program, led by Musk, has caused a stir by going through government programs to validate funding.