T
he U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been at the center of controversy since the start of President Trump's second term, with its efforts to reduce government costs sparking criticism and confusion. A recent report by NOTUS sheds light on DOGE's real estate contracts, revealing that 748 terminated federal building leases were initially estimated to save taxpayers $660 million, but this figure was repeatedly revised downward over a 10-week period.

    The initial estimate of $660 million would have represented 10% of the total leases managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), but it turned out to be an overstatement. The actual savings were eventually pegged at $262 million, with further revisions reducing the estimated savings from $500 million to $400 million and then to $311 million.

    Members of the U.S. House of Representatives' DOGE subcommittee touted the cost savings in hearings despite the frequent revisions to the total potential savings. NOTUS also found that some of the "new" savings touted by DOGE were actually for moves that predated President Trump's presidency, including the planned closure of a Social Security Administration office in New York.

    The practices of DOGE's reporting have created headaches for White House allies on Capitol Hill, with one Republican lawmaker calling the closure of an SSA office "laughable" and taking his concerns to social media. The report highlights the need for transparency and accuracy in government reporting, particularly when it comes to cost-cutting efforts.