The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), currently led by Elon Musk, is reviewing spending practices at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), according to officials. The move comes as the agency has faced questions about oversight and fiscal accountability.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that DOGE personnel would be assisting the Department of Transportation (DOT) in modernizing the nation’s aviation systems, following recent safety concerns involving multiple aircraft incidents. These include several in-flight emergencies involving Boeing aircraft, as well as ongoing issues with the company’s Starliner spacecraft during its crewed mission to the International Space Station.
Criticism of the plan surfaced online, with some questioning whether DOGE staff have the necessary background in aviation and infrastructure to contribute effectively to such upgrades. Duffy responded by emphasizing a commitment to reform, saying that inefficiencies in long-standing bureaucracies have contributed to infrastructure challenges across the country.
Duffy also stated that DOGE had identified questionable financial practices related to previous USAID allocations. Specific details about those findings have not yet been publicly disclosed.
During his recent Senate confirmation hearing, Duffy highlighted aviation safety as a top priority, pledging to work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Congress to strengthen regulatory oversight and rebuild confidence in U.S.-based aerospace manufacturers like Boeing.
“We must ensure that the FAA is implementing its safety plan and that public trust in our aviation system is restored,” Duffy told the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
He also affirmed that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) would be allowed to continue its independent investigation into Tesla’s advanced driver-assistance systems. Tesla is led by Elon Musk, who also oversees DOGE.
Separately, the Department of Transportation has faced criticism for its handling of several transportation-related incidents, including a major train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which caused a large-scale chemical spill. Investigators later attributed the incident to mechanical failures involving the rail carrier Norfolk Southern.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) clarified that operational responsibility for the derailment lies with the rail company and not with federal officials at the time.
DOGE’s audit and the renewed focus on transportation safety signal an effort by federal agencies to address long-standing infrastructure issues through both new oversight mechanisms and the application of modern technology.
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