Why I joined DOGE
Planet Money
2025/06/14
Why I joined DOGE
Why I joined DOGE
Planet Money
2025/06/14
This podcast delves into the experiences of Sahil Lavingia, a former employee of DOGE, a controversial initiative aimed at cutting costs in the federal government. Through his journey at the Department of Veteran Affairs, Sahil provides unique insights into the inner workings and challenges of this secretive program.
Sahil Lavingia joined DOGE with aspirations to modernize federal systems but encountered significant obstacles. Initially optimistic, he discovered that the initiative lacked structure and clear leadership. His attempts to implement cost-saving measures, like the AI tool Contract Muncher, faced skepticism due to inaccuracies. A meeting with Elon Musk provided little clarity about DOGE's mission. Over time, Sahil realized the complexities within government work and acknowledged the efforts of federal employees to combat inefficiencies. Despite these hurdles, he managed to save approximately $10 million by optimizing processes within the VA. The podcast concludes with reflections on DOGE’s future and its potential permanence under the Trump administration.
05:55
05:55
Sahil felt his experience slimming down his company could help DOGE slim down the federal government.
20:07
20:07
Sahil built an AI tool named Contract Muncher to flag VA contracts for cuts.
27:25
27:25
Sahil Lavingia realized federal government is better-run than expected.
