WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been actively working to reduce costs for American taxpayers by eliminating programs, leases, contracts, and reducing the workforce, announcing a total purported saving of $65 billion in just the past month.
However, recent receipts made available on the DOGE website indicate some inconsistencies.
Upon examining the 2,300 receipts listed on DOGE’s “Wall of Receipts,” the actual savings were found to be around $9.6 billion. While this figure falls significantly short of their claimed $65 billion, DOGE has stated that it is aiming to deliver real-time data, though delays exist due to the Federal Procurement Data System.
It is noted that the FPDS posting for final termination notices may experience a delay of up to 1 month. Discrepancies may arise between FPDS and the figures posted, which are derived directly from agency contracting officials,” as stated on the “Wall of Receipts.”
Despite these savings, the influence on the national debt remains negligible. As of February 24, the U.S. federal debt totaled $36.22 trillion, according to the U.S. Treasury.
If the $65 billion savings is indeed accurate, it would represent merely about 0.18% of the national debt. Nevertheless, as DOGE has been implementing cutbacks for just over a month, the potential long-term effects of the program on the national debt are yet to be determined.
The national debt has experienced considerable growth over the decades. Prior to 1985, the U.S. had never accrued more than $5 trillion in debt. Between 1985 and 2005, the debt increased by 137%, and from 2005 to 2025, it is expected to rise by 181%, as reported by the U.S. Treasury.
The U.S. has had debt since its founding, with liabilities from the American Revolutionary War exceeding $75 million as of January 1, 1791. Recent increases in the national debt have been linked to significant events, including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the 2008 financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2019 and 2021, government spending rose by roughly 50%, propelled by factors such as tax cuts, stimulus payments, increased government expenditures, and reduced tax revenue due to job losses, according to Treasury data.
