T
he Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, claims to have saved over $600 million in lease savings across the country by terminating federal building leases. In Georgia, DOGE has reportedly terminated 23 buildings, with the largest being a 120,000 square foot CDC building in Atlanta, valued at over $17 million. The agency's "Wall of Receipts" lists total value of expenditures and savings created from selling off property, including over $5,500 canceled federal contracts and grants.
DOGE claims to have saved $10 billion from the cancellations, but fact checks have shown inflated estimates that fall short upon review. Multiple agencies are impacted by DOGE decisions in Georgia, including the Centers for Disease Control, Forest Services, Bureau of Prisons, Small Business Administration, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, National Resources Conservation, and Government Accountability Office.
The Government Accountability Office is a non-partisan watchdog group that monitors government spending, while the Bureau of Prisons ensures humane care for inmates. The Energy Regulatory Commission monitors electricity and natural gas transmission, and the NRC protects air quality and wildlife.
DOGE's real estate terminations in Georgia include:
* CDC: Atlanta, 119,812 sq ft, $2,473,060
* Forest Service: Atlanta, 49,617 sq ft, $1,399,770
* Bureau of Prisons: Atlanta, 34,146 sq ft, $863,726
DOGE was created by an executive order from Trump, who referred to Musk as the leader. However, a court filing revealed that Musk is not in charge or an employee, but rather a senior advisor to the president. The agency's leadership has changed since then.
As of March 3, DOGE listed $105 billion in total savings on its "Wall of Receipts," translating to $652.17 per taxpayer. However, fact checking has shown that some cuts don't add up and have been rolled back. Critics from both sides of the political aisle have expressed concerns about DOGE's sloppy work and inflated estimates.
