Are you at stake? Federal agency cuts access to thousands of credit cards amid budget constraints
- Replies 0
In a significant policy shift, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has deactivated hundreds of thousands of government credit cards.
The move is part of a broader effort to curb federal spending, though details on its full impact remain unclear.
Reactions have been mixed, with some praising the decision as a necessary cost-cutting measure while others worry about its potential consequences for government operations.
DOGE announced Tuesday via a post on social media that it has revoked over 200,000 government credit cards.
The agency, under the guidance of billionaire and White House advisor Elon Musk, is on a mission to streamline government operations.
With an eye-watering 4.6 million credit cards and 90 million unique transactions in fiscal year 2024 alone, the federal government's plastic footprint is enormous.
The recent announcement on social media marks a significant step in DOGE's ongoing efforts to simplify credit card accounts and slash administrative costs.
A week later, President Donald Trump issued an executive order initiating a "transformation in Federal spending," which included a 30-day freeze on agency employee credit cards.
On Tuesday, DOGE provided a three-week update on the canceled government credit cards.
Source: @DOGE / X.
The agency stated that its pilot program is auditing 16 federal agencies, noting that the Health and Human Services Department and the Department of the Interior have made "great progress this past week."
While President Trump and Elon Musk have been vocal about their desire to cut government spending, including reducing the federal workforce by over 100,000, the credit card freeze has unintended consequences.
Also read: Trump’s new federal workforce policy bring major changes for government employees
The freeze includes an exemption for disaster relief and other critical services, but reports from multiple outlets suggest that the day-to-day operations of federal agencies are taking a hit.
For instance, employees at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are reportedly struggling to order essential lab supplies, potentially impacting the safety of American consumers. Despite these challenges, the FDA insists it continues its mission-critical work.
Source: New York Post / Youtube.
Similarly, civilian employees at the Department of Defense now face a $1 spending limit on their travel credit cards, except for military operations or permanent station changes.
Travel "in direct support of military operations or a permanent change of station" will be exempt, the memo states.
A $1 limit on credit cards has also affected several other agencies, Wired and the Post reported.
Read next: The White House reveals Elon Musk's surprising real authority over DOGE–Here's what you need to know.
What are your thoughts on the DOGE's credit card cancellation? How do you believe these changes will affect the services you rely on? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, but please remember to remain respectful.
The move is part of a broader effort to curb federal spending, though details on its full impact remain unclear.
Reactions have been mixed, with some praising the decision as a necessary cost-cutting measure while others worry about its potential consequences for government operations.
DOGE announced Tuesday via a post on social media that it has revoked over 200,000 government credit cards.
The agency, under the guidance of billionaire and White House advisor Elon Musk, is on a mission to streamline government operations.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has cancelled over 200,000 government credit cards as part of a move to enforce federal spending limits. Image source: The New York Post / Youtube.
With an eye-watering 4.6 million credit cards and 90 million unique transactions in fiscal year 2024 alone, the federal government's plastic footprint is enormous.
The recent announcement on social media marks a significant step in DOGE's ongoing efforts to simplify credit card accounts and slash administrative costs.
A week later, President Donald Trump issued an executive order initiating a "transformation in Federal spending," which included a 30-day freeze on agency employee credit cards.
On Tuesday, DOGE provided a three-week update on the canceled government credit cards.
Source: @DOGE / X.
The agency stated that its pilot program is auditing 16 federal agencies, noting that the Health and Human Services Department and the Department of the Interior have made "great progress this past week."
While President Trump and Elon Musk have been vocal about their desire to cut government spending, including reducing the federal workforce by over 100,000, the credit card freeze has unintended consequences.
Also read: Trump’s new federal workforce policy bring major changes for government employees
The freeze includes an exemption for disaster relief and other critical services, but reports from multiple outlets suggest that the day-to-day operations of federal agencies are taking a hit.
For instance, employees at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are reportedly struggling to order essential lab supplies, potentially impacting the safety of American consumers. Despite these challenges, the FDA insists it continues its mission-critical work.
Source: New York Post / Youtube.
Similarly, civilian employees at the Department of Defense now face a $1 spending limit on their travel credit cards, except for military operations or permanent station changes.
Travel "in direct support of military operations or a permanent change of station" will be exempt, the memo states.
A $1 limit on credit cards has also affected several other agencies, Wired and the Post reported.
Read next: The White House reveals Elon Musk's surprising real authority over DOGE–Here's what you need to know.
What are your thoughts on the DOGE's credit card cancellation? How do you believe these changes will affect the services you rely on? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, but please remember to remain respectful.
Last edited:
