Tyler Hassen, a former member of the Definition of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, is pushing back against public perceptions of the agency's effectiveness, asserting its cost-cutting measures had a more profound impact than often credited. In his newly released book, "Inside DOGE: The Real Story from a Senior Insider," Hassen contends that many narratives about DOGE were shaped by individuals not privy to the internal workings of the agency.
Hassen, who joined DOGE after the 2025 election, was motivated by a desire to address the national deficit. He described his transition from CEO of Basin Holdings to a role focused on fiscal responsibility in Washington, D.C. His initial task involved researching the Commerce Department and proposing efficiency improvements to Elon Musk, then leading DOGE. Hassen estimates he was among fewer than 100 DOGE staffers.
According to Hassen, DOGE's approach to government spending involved concrete actions such as canceling contract renewals, consolidating purchasing through initiatives like OneGov to streamline vendor negotiations, and implementing new payment tracking systems to improve accountability. He noted that even as the national debt surpassed $40 trillion, he stood by DOGE's principle: "take care of the billions and the trillions will take care of themselves."
Hassen's book details a meticulous process of reviewing government contracts and spending. He described spending up to 14 hours daily scrutinizing awards, grants, and expenditures exceeding $50,000. He recounted that late-night meetings with Musk were common, and even after moving to the Department of the Interior, he continued to attend these sessions. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum also reportedly participated in reviewing contracts and cuts with Hassen, particularly on weekends.
While DOGE reported savings exceeding $200 billion, a figure disputed and lower than the initial $2 trillion target, Hassen argues that the agency's broader influence is more significant. He believes DOGE fostered a culture of oversight that has encouraged accountability at both federal and state levels. The Trump administration has also focused on fraud, establishing a task force led by Vice President JD Vance and seeing citizen journalists highlight issues of potential misuse of taxpayer funds.
Hassen stated that even seemingly small savings can have a substantial impact, comparing the cut of a $4 million contract to saving eight families their lifetime tax payments. He aims to convey that DOGE's work, though perhaps less publicized, contributed to a fundamental shift in how the government approaches spending.