Introduction

In the June 14, 2025 episode of Planet Money titled "Why I Joined DOGE", host Kenny Malone delves into the enigmatic Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial federal agency initiated during the Trump administration. The episode explores DOGE's mission to streamline government operations, the internal dynamics of its workforce, and the experiences of Sahil Lavingia, a software engineer who joined DOGE with high hopes of making a significant impact on federal efficiency.

Meet Sahil Lavingia

Sahil Lavingia emerges as a pivotal figure in the narrative, providing firsthand insights into DOGE's operations. A former startup founder, Sahil brings a unique perspective shaped by his experience in scaling a company during the era of easy money and low-interest rates. His journey to DOGE is rooted not in politics but in a genuine desire to apply his technical skills to modernize outdated federal systems.

Joining DOGE: Motivations and Expectations

Sahil's decision to join DOGE was multifaceted. As he recounts, "[I'd joined DOGE] it was like I was naively optimistic" about the agency's potential to effect meaningful change without being mired in political agendas ([07:35]). He was drawn to DOGE by the allure of working under Elon Musk, hoping to learn from a leader renowned for his impact across multiple tech industries. Additionally, Sahil's entrepreneurial background, where he faced and overcame organizational bloat during a boom period, informed his belief that his skills could be effectively utilized to slim down federal operations.

Despite initial parental and social pushback—"Most of my friends would be like, what the hell are you doing?" ([01:43])—Sahil was driven by a conviction that his contribution could lead to substantial improvements in government efficiency. He negotiated a short-term stint with DOGE, intending to assess its actual impact before committing long-term, a decision that soon proved to be more permanent than anticipated.

First Days at DOGE

Sahil's onboarding experience at DOGE was unexpectedly mundane. Contrary to his anticipation of a high-octane, Musk-esque environment, he found himself engaged in routine administrative tasks. "Day one was a lot of mundane tasks. Get your ID card, stop by the VA's fingerprinting room," he explains ([12:02]). His casual attire—a T-shirt, shacket, and khakis—stood out amidst his more formally dressed DOGE colleagues, leading to noticeable confusion among VA employees about his role ([12:28]).

Projects and Challenges

Once embedded within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Sahil embarked on projects aimed at identifying and eliminating inefficiencies. One of his notable initiatives was the creation of the Contract Muncher, an AI tool designed to sift through tens of thousands of VA contracts to flag potential cuts. Sahil shares, "We go through the 42,000 contracts that we have, and then hopefully we can cut a bunch of waste," ([21:15]).

However, the implementation of such tools did not proceed smoothly. The VA staff expressed significant concern over the reliability and intentions behind DOGE's interventions. A ProPublica story highlighted the "error-prone AI tool to munch Veterans Affairs contracts," underscoring the tension between DOGE's Silicon Valley-driven methodologies and the established protocols of federal operations ([21:51]).

Sahil's optimistic view clashed with the reality on the ground. "I was hoping... to save a bunch of money," he reflects, only to realize that the VA already had robust systems in place to prevent fraud and waste ([26:00]). This mismatch between expectations and reality led to a growing sense of frustration and disillusionment.

Reflections and Lessons Learned

Throughout his tenure, Sahil maintained a series of audio diaries, documenting his evolving perception of DOGE and the federal bureaucracy. One poignant moment captures his realization that the government, while not perfect, functions with a level of commitment and efficiency he had underestimated:

"There's no easy wins. The government is not corrupt. The government is really not wasteful. The government commits to doing a lot of things for its citizens, but generally it executes on them decently well, full of amazing, smart, hard-working, educated people." ([27:28])

This introspection led Sahil to understand that DOGE's approach, rooted in Silicon Valley's rapid iteration and disruption ethos, was ill-suited to the complexities of federal government operations. He notes, "When you join and you realize... you're no longer the hero, you know, like you're just an employee of this big organization," highlighting the challenges of effecting change within a vast and established system ([28:25]).

Conclusion and Aftermath

After nearly two months with DOGE, Sahil's experience culminated in his departure from the agency. He suspects that his openness about his experiences, including speaking to reporters, may have contributed to his exit. In retrospect, Sahil acknowledges that his impact at DOGE was far less than his initial aspirations, estimating his contribution to federal efficiency savings at around $10 million, significantly below his optimistic projections.

The episode concludes by mentioning that Elon Musk has since left DOGE, and the Trump administration is contemplating making DOGE a permanent fixture within the federal government. Sahil's story serves as a microcosm of the broader tensions between private-sector efficiency models and public-sector operational realities.

Key Quotes

• Sahil Lavingia at [07:35]:

  "I was hoping... the media tends to blow things out of proportion, in my opinion."

• Sahil on Joining DOGE at [07:19]:

  "This was the only way that Trump would allow Doge to exist. Right. Trump is not going to say we're going to ship a bunch of software unless he can say that it's going to cut the deficit or it's going to, you know, save taxpayers a lot of money."

• Sahil Reflecting on Government Operations at [27:28]:

  "There's no easy wins. The government is not corrupt. The government is really not wasteful. The government commits to doing a lot of things for its citizens, but generally it executes on them decently well, full of amazing, smart, hard-working, educated people."

• Sahil on His Impact at DOGE at [29:58]:

  "In the end, I did not end up saving the government billions of dollars. I landed closer to the low end of my projection, somewhere around 10 million."

Final Thoughts

"Why I Joined DOGE" offers a compelling exploration of the intersection between private-sector innovation and public-sector implementation. Through Sahil Lavingia's experiences, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the challenges inherent in applying Silicon Valley strategies to the intricate machinery of federal government operations. The episode underscores the complexities of effecting systemic change within established institutions and serves as a cautionary tale for technologists venturing into the realm of public service.