DOGE FAILED US

CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY AUGUST 10, 2026

     REMEMBER DOGE – THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENY? HEADED BY ELON MUSK, DOGE WAS SUPPOSED TO ROOTOUT WASTEFUL AND UNNECESSARY SPENDING, SAVING TAXPAYERS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

     AS WITH MOST THINGS ASSOCIATED WITH GOVERNMENT, DOGE WAS MOSTLY A FAILURE.

     A NEW AUDIT BY THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE SAID DOGE TOOK CREDIT FOR CUTS ALREADY IN THE PIPELINE, EXAGGERATED SOME CLAIMS, AND COULDN’T PROVIDE EVIDENCE FOR OTHERS.

     ALL TOLD, OF THE $110.3 BILLION THAT DOGE CLAIMED TO HAVE SAVED, THE GAO SAID IT FOUND SOLID SUPPORT FOR ONLY 4 PERCENT OF THOSE CLAIMS.

     IN ONE CASE, DOGE SAID IT GOT THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT’S HEALTH AGENCY TO CANCEL A $1.7 BILLION TECHNOLOGY CONTRACT, BUT GAO INVESTIGATORS SAID THE CONTRACT WAS NEVER CUT OR EVEN REDUCED.

     “THERE WERE NO SAVINGS ACHIEVED,” SAID THE GAO. DOGE ALSO CLAIMED CREDIT FOR ENDING 264 LEASES, BUT 108 OF THEM WERE ALREADY IN THE PIPELINE BEFORE THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE WAS ESTABLISHED.

     ALL OF THIS AGAIN REMINDS ME OF ONE OF RONALD REAGAN’S GREAT LINES: THE ONLY PROOF OF ETERNAL LIFE IN WASHINGTON IS A GOVERNMENT PROGRAM. I’M CAL THOMAS.