DOGE loses control over federal grant applications review: WashPo
2 Min Read
US federal officials were instructed to stop issuing grants through DOGE, effectively stripping the department of its newly acquired control.
-
Rep. Kweisi Mfume, D-Md., protests against DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency, as he and other House Democrats speak out against the Republican budget plan, on the House steps at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025 (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has reportedly lost direct authority over the federal grant review process, according to The Washington Post, which cited sources familiar with the matter.
DOGE accused of centralizing control over $500B in annual grants
Sources told The Post that DOGE staff took control of grants.gov, the central federal grant management platform handling more than $500 billion in annual disbursements.
Until recently, the portal was used by federal agencies to post funding opportunities and by external organizations to submit applications.
However, in April, DOGE reportedly altered the platform’s operations, giving its own personnel sweeping authority to review and approve all federal grant applications, effectively centralizing decision-making power.
White House halts DOGE grant approvals
By Thursday, federal officials were instructed to stop issuing grants through DOGE, effectively stripping the department of its newly acquired control.
This decision marks a dramatic reversal of a months-long power shift that raised internal concerns within federal agencies.
Despite the setback, the White House said DOGE personnel remain embedded within each federal agency and will continue to participate in the grant review process, although no longer with final approval authority.
DOGE was created by President Donald Trump via one of his first executive orders upon taking office as the 47th President of the United States.
The department was envisioned as a cost-cutting and restructuring body aimed at streamlining federal operations.
Billionaire businessman Elon Musk was appointed as the first head of DOGE, but he announced his resignation from the Trump team in late May, just weeks before DOGE's authority over grant approvals was rolled back.
