Trump Commits to Long-Term Federal Spending Cuts Following DOGE Review
President Donald Trump announced his commitment to making federal spending cuts permanent, following an internal review conducted by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a group that had been led by Elon Musk in a temporary advisory role.
During a press conference at the White House, Trump stood alongside Musk and praised his work identifying inefficiencies in government programs. DOGE’s efforts have already accounted for a reported $157 billion in current budget savings. However, only $9.4 billion in proposed reductions were sent to Congress in a recent rescission package, prompting some criticism from conservative lawmakers.
“We’re totally committed to making the DOGE cuts permanent,” Trump said. “Most of it is going to come later, but we’re getting started now.”
The proposed cuts include reductions in spending on international aid and publicly funded media, including NPR and PBS. Additional identified savings include:
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$101 million from contracts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Department of Education
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$59 million for temporary housing arrangements for undocumented immigrants in New York City
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$45 million in scholarships designated for programs in Burma
“These are examples of inefficiencies or misplaced spending that we can rein in,” Trump added, referring to DOGE’s report.
The full rescissions package is expected to be formally submitted to Congress next week. Trump also referenced broader cuts that are part of a new legislative package recently passed by the House and awaiting review in the Senate.
House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed concerns that some elements of the bill may be challenged or removed in the Senate. Among them is a provision limiting federal judges from issuing nationwide injunctions on individual legal cases—something Johnson argues is necessary to prevent policy disruptions.
In an interview, Johnson also addressed concerns about federal benefit programs, emphasizing that the proposal targets fraud and waste rather than reducing essential support.
“We’re not cutting Medicaid or SNAP,” Johnson said. “We’re working to ensure that the programs serve the people they were designed for—such as vulnerable seniors, pregnant women, and individuals with disabilities.”
Johnson cited federal data suggesting that millions of Medicaid recipients may not meet eligibility criteria or are not working despite being able-bodied adults. Under proposed changes, individuals who are capable of working would be required to work at least 20 hours per week to maintain benefits.
“There’s a moral value to encouraging work,” Johnson said. “It restores dignity and helps improve lives. This isn’t about removing help. It’s about making sure it goes to the people who truly need it.”
The White House has not announced a specific timeline for when the broader DOGE findings will be fully implemented, but Trump reiterated that a large portion of the cuts would be addressed in future budget legislation.