The Peace Corps has become the latest federal agency targeted by Elon Musk’s unofficial “department of government efficiency,” according to recent reports. Dubbed “Doge,” the group appears to be considering cuts to the agency, which has been engaging US volunteers in global health, education, and environmental initiatives since its establishment in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy.
In a statement to The Guardian, the Peace Corps confirmed that staff members from the Department of Government Efficiency are currently stationed at its headquarters, with the agency aiding their requests.
Sources close to the situation have revealed that a representative of Doge, Bridget Youngs, visited the Peace Corps headquarters on Friday. Her identity was verified by the White House, and she spent several hours at the location. During her visit, Youngs requested access to the agency’s financial records, suggesting that other Doge associates may follow up over the weekend to continue their evaluation.
An internal email distributed among Peace Corps staff members mentioned the upcoming arrival of the Doge team and asked employees to be prepared for weekend work. The email urged staff to cooperate with Doge workers and to document any data or information that is requested.
Peace Corps administrators have notified employees worldwide of the visit and have indicated that more visits are expected. Since Donald Trump’s inauguration, Musk and his allies within Doge have been working to cut spending and reduce personnel across various federal agencies as they seek to uncover “waste, fraud, and abuse.”
While the exact intentions of Doge with regards to the Peace Corps are unclear, their request for financial records suggests they may be contemplating cost reductions or the cancellation of certain programs, similar to actions they have taken with other agencies involved in international issues and foreign aid, such as the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Musk and Steve Davis, his top deputy at Doge, have not commented on the situation, and the National Peace Corps Association, an advocacy group for the Peace Corps and its alumni, has informed its members of the Doge presence. The association pledged that its “community of tens of thousands strongly supports the ideals of the Peace Corps with courage, hope, and perseverance.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/04/elon-musk-doge-peace-corps
