OPM Chief Declares DOGE “Doesn’t exist” as Agency Assumes Control Months Before Planned Closure
WASHINGTON - The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Scott Kupor stated earlier this month that the Digital Office for Government Engagement (DOGE) “doesn’t exist,” as his agency absorbed many of DOGE’s functions. this move occurred eight months prior to the previously anticipated closure of DOGE, according to a report by Courtney Rozen of Reuters.
The transition underscores a notable shift in the Biden management’s strategy for modernizing government technology and citizen engagement. DOGE, established in late 2021, was intended to accelerate the delivery of digital services. Its functions are now being integrated into OPM, raising questions about the future of independent digital innovation within the federal government and the potential impact on ongoing projects. The absorption of DOGE’s responsibilities by OPM signals a consolidation of digital strategy under a more established agency, potentially streamlining operations but also raising concerns about agility and responsiveness to emerging technological challenges.
Kupor’s assertion, made during a recent hearing, reflects a pragmatic assessment of DOGE’s operational status as its core functions were transferred. Reuters reported that OPM began taking over key responsibilities from DOGE in Febuary, effectively diminishing the independent office’s role.
DOGE was initially slated to close in December 2024, but the OPM takeover effectively accelerated that timeline. The agency’s absorption of DOGE’s personnel and projects aims to ensure continuity of critical digital initiatives,including efforts to improve the user experience of government websites and services.
