Government Efficiency Initiative Offers $5,000 Checks to Taxpayers
US citizens might soon receive a big financial reprieve. The Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) has proposed to return surpluses to the citizens after trimming wasteful federal expenditure. James Fishback, CEO of Azoria and an external advisor to Doge, has outlined the idea of mailing $5,000 (Rs. 4.3 lakh) checks to eligible taxpayers in July 2026 under what is being called the "Doge Dividend."
Trump Budget Proposal for Spending Reductions
The Trump government has pledged to reduce American government spending by $2 trillion. Under this scheme, 20% of the saved money will go to 79 million taxpayers. Department of Justice (DoJ) chief Elon Musk, in reaction to this scheme, said, "Let's negotiate this with the President, since the last word is with him."
Current Financial Standing and Criticism of DoJ’s Measures
Through Monday, the DoJ website listed the U.S. government with about $55 billion in unobligated funds. The department has accomplished several things in reaching this number, including:
- Preventing fraudulent activities
- Terminating redundant contracts
- Canceling government leases
- Selling excess assets
- Cutting unnecessary funding
Even as it strives to cut down on spending, the DoJ has been accused of being overly aggressive. Several individuals and groups have sued it, objecting to its blanket access to government information. White House Affairs Director Joshua Fisher explained that although Musk has a heavy responsibility, he is not authorized to make ultimate government decisions, unlike senior White House advisors.
Federal Bureaucracy Cleanup by 2026
The DoJ also set a target to eliminate federal bureaucratic inefficiencies by July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of American independence. Musk has already said that once this project is complete, the department itself will be eliminated. The United States is already expending $6.5 trillion annually, and Doge intends to save $2 trillion from these efficiency gains.
