Elon Musk, the chair of DOGE, has been leading an investigation into USAID's spending practices as the agency comes to a standstill. (Getty Images)
The executive order will leave just a few areas of the federal government unscathed, including positions affiliated with law enforcement, national security and immigration enforcement.
DOGE is focused on eliminating wasteful government spending and streamlining efficiency and operations, and it is expected to influence White House policy on budget matters. The group has been tasked with cutting $2 trillion from the federal government budget through efforts to slash spending, government programs and the federal workforce.
The White House said on Feb. 4 that it predicted a "spike" in resignations close to the original Feb. 6 deadline for the buyout offer, which would allow employees to retain all pay and benefits and be exempt from in-person work until Sept. 30.
"The number of deferred resignations is rapidly growing, and we’re expecting the largest spike 24 to 48 hours before the deadline," a White House official told Fox News Digital on Feb. 4.
JUDGE EXTENDS INJUCTION ORDER TO BAN TRUMP ADMIN BUYOUT OFFER TO FEDERAL WORKERS
President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order instructing the Department of Government Efficiency to coordinate with federal agencies to execute massive cuts in federal government staffing numbers. (Reuters)
So far, approximately 65,000 federal employees have accepted the buyout offer, but a federal judge has issued a pause on the deadline for when employees must submit their resignations.
U.S. District Judge George O’Toole indefinitely extended a temporary restraining order Monday, pausing the deadline as he evaluates a preliminary injunction request stemming from cases against the buyout program filed by union groups, including the American Federation of Government Employees.
When asked about the buyout, Trump said that there are empty office spaces and that his administration is attempting to reduce the size of government.
"We have too many people. We have office spaces occupied by 4% – nobody showing up to work because they were told not to," Trump said.
DOGE has moved to slash other areas of the federal government as well.
Other recent initiatives by DOGE have included launching an effort to shutter the U.S. Agency for International Development, a group that works to deliver aid to impoverished countries and development assistance.
The group has come under scrutiny from DOGE amid concerns about wasteful government spending, poor leadership and questionable funding, including an Iraqi version of "Sesame Street" and reportedly millions of dollars in funding to extremist groups tied to designated terrorist organizations and their allies.
"It’s been run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we’re getting them out," Trump told reporters on Feb. 2.
Fox News’ Brooke Singman, Emma Colton and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
Diana Stancy is a politics reporter with Fox News Digital covering the White House.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-signs-order-instructing-doge-prepare-massive-cuts-federal-government-staffers