Elon Musk’s recent departure from his official role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has brought renewed attention to a long history of efforts by U.S. presidents to streamline federal operations and cut waste, fraud, and abuse. From the early efforts of Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, and Grover Cleveland to the more recent attempts by Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and Lyndon B. Johnson, the concept of government reform has been a persistent theme in American politics.
Jefferson, for example, sought to reduce the size of the federal government by shrinking the judiciary, while Jackson aimed to downsize the civil service, and Cleveland targeted the treasury. These early attempts, while relatively modest in scope, set the stage for more comprehensive reforms in the 20th century. As the federal government expanded into a complex bureaucratic entity, leaders began to recognize the need for more systematic approaches to efficiency and accountability.
The modern iteration of this movement gained momentum with the Reagan administration, which established the 1982 Grace Commission to examine and address inefficiencies within the federal government. This commission, led by private sector executives, reported significant potential savings, including billions in unpaid taxes and overpayments to government vendors. However, the implementation of these findings faced considerable resistance, much like the challenges that have plagued similar reform efforts throughout history.
Bill Clinton’s administration also pursued substantial reforms, including the National Performance Review (NPR), which aimed to cut bureaucracy and improve government efficiency. Despite some notable achievements, such as reducing the federal workforce and balancing the budget, Clinton’s efforts were ultimately limited by the complexity of the system and political resistance.
Lyndon B. Johnson, while primarily known for his expansive ‘Great Society’ programs, also attempted to streamline the Department of Defense, particularly through the efforts of Defense Secretary Robert McNamara. However, these reforms were often undermined by the scale of the defense bureaucracy and the resistance from military leaders, highlighting the persistent challenges of implementing sweeping changes to a large and entrenched institution.
The current political landscape, marked by Musk’s departure from DOGE, reflects a continued interest in government reform, even as historical attempts have often faced significant obstacles. While the concept of streamlining government to make it more efficient and accountable remains a recurring theme, the difficulty of realizing these goals underscores the complex nature of institutional change in the United States.