The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by Elon Musk, has recently set its sights on the Peace Corps in its ongoing mission to identify and eliminate wasteful government spending. On April 4, 2025, Bridget Youngs, a representative from DOGE, visited the Peace Corps headquarters to request access to the agency's financial records. This move suggests that DOGE is evaluating the Peace Corps for potential budget cuts.
Established in 1961, the Peace Corps has a longstanding mission of sending volunteers abroad to work in sectors such as health, education, and environmental initiatives. With an annual budget of approximately $400 million, the agency has engaged over 240,000 volunteers throughout its history and enjoys bipartisan support. The National Peace Corps Association has acknowledged DOGE's visit and has assured its members of their commitment to defending the agency's mission.
Since its inception, DOGE has targeted over 20 federal agencies, aiming to reduce perceived "waste, fraud, and abuse." This has often resulted in budget cuts and program eliminations, particularly in areas related to foreign aid. The specific changes DOGE plans for the Peace Corps remain unclear, but the agency's administrators have been instructed to cooperate fully and document all interactions with DOGE staff.
This development underscores DOGE's continued efforts to scrutinize government expenditures and reallocate resources in line with its mandate to enhance efficiency within federal agencies.
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