Executive Order 14158

Establishing and Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency"

Signed January 20, 2025, printed at 90 FR 8441. 4 sections of substance, 767 words.

In plain English

This order sets up a group called DOGE. Its job is to update government software. The aim is to cut waste.

Sec. 1. Purpose

This Executive Order establishes the Department of Government Efficiency to implement the President's DOGE Agenda, by modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.

In plain English

This sets up DOGE. The name stands for Department of Government Efficiency. Its job is to update federal tech.

Sec. 2. Definitions

As used in this order: (a) ``Agency'' has the meaning given to it in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, except that such term does not include the Executive Office of the President or any components thereof. (b) ``Agency Head'' means the highest-ranking official of an agency, such as the Secretary, Administrator, Chairman, or Director, unless otherwise specified in this order.

In plain English

This defines the terms used later. Agency has its meaning in federal law. The White House itself is left out. Agency head means the top person there. That may be a secretary or a director. Both terms run through the rest of the order.

Sec. 3. DOGE Structure

(a) Reorganization and Renaming of the United States Digital Service. The United States Digital Service is hereby publicly renamed as the United States DOGE Service (USDS) and shall be established in the Executive Office of the President. (b) Establishment of a Temporary Organization. There shall be a USDS Administrator established in the Executive Office of the President who shall report to the White House Chief of Staff. There is further established within USDS, in accordance with section 3161 of title 5, United States Code, a temporary organization known as ``the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization''. The U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization shall be headed by the USDS Administrator and shall be dedicated to advancing the President's 18- month DOGE agenda. The U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization shall terminate on July 4, 2026. The termination of the U.S. DOGE Service

In plain English

This sets up the DOGE office. An existing digital office is renamed. It moves into the White House. An administrator runs it and reports to the chief of staff. A temporary unit sits inside it. That unit has an 18 month agenda. It closes on July 4, 2026.

Sec. 4.

Modernizing Federal Technology and Software to Maximize Efficiency and Productivity. (a) The USDS Administrator shall commence a Software Modernization Initiative to improve the quality and efficiency of government-wide software, network infrastructure, and information technology (IT) systems. Among other things, the USDS Administrator shall work with Agency Heads to promote inter-operability between agency networks and systems, ensure data integrity, and facilitate responsible data collection and synchronization. [[Page 8442]] (b) Agency Heads shall take all necessary steps, in coordination with the USDS Administrator and to the maximum extent consistent with law, to ensure USDS has full and prompt access to all unclassified agency records, software systems, and IT systems. USDS shall adhere to rigorous data protection standards. (c) This Executive Order displaces all prior executive

In plain English

This starts a software drive. The DOGE head must improve federal systems. That covers networks and data. Agency heads must give the office access to records. Classified systems are not included. The order says data must be kept safe. It overrides earlier orders on the same subject.

Sec. 5. General Provisions

Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, January 20, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-02005 Filed 1-28-25; 11:15 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body> </html>

In plain English

This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.

How this order is quoted

Each section is quoted as the order prints it, under its own number and heading. Executive orders are United States government works and are not under copyright. Long sections are cut at a sentence and the whole order is a click away.