In the first 100 days of President Trump’s term, federal government spending has surged by approximately $220 billion compared to the same period last year, according to a CBS News analysis of Treasury Department reports.
This spending trend marks a significant increase, as the government is now outlaying more funds on a daily basis than in nine of the last ten years, with the only exception being 2021, a year dominated by expenditures related to combating the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite the administration’s campaign promises to reduce federal spending and the visible announcements regarding layoffs and fraud prevention measures, the increase in spending raises questions.
Analyzing government budgets reveals that certain large expenditures—particularly those associated with the military, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—are areas where the White House struggles to exert control.
Furthermore, political dynamics complicate spending cuts, as the conservative base and Republican Congress members may oppose reductions in military funding or veteran care, which constitute significant portions of the federal budget.
The daily reports from the Treasury Department indicate that major areas of expenditure have risen consistently during Trump’s tenure.
A significant portion of the government’s spending aligns with obligations towards the military and senior citizens.
In recent months, high interest rates have driven up the cost of servicing the national debt, which is escalating due to a culture of overspending.
Over the last three months, interest payments have doubled compared to just three years earlier, posing further financial strain on federal resources.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has been directing efforts toward trimming costs within the civilian workforce.
However, various attempts at layoffs and buyouts face legal challenges that result in delays or reversals of intended firings.
Despite these layoffs announced by DOGE, federal salary expenditures continue to grow.
A recent 2% raise was awarded to federal workers following an executive order signed by then-President Biden just before Christmas, attributed to Congress’ inability to finalize permanent federal budgets.
Looking at the broader picture, spending primarily on military and veteran services, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and interest payments have accounted for approximately two-thirds of federal spending over the past decade.
This breakdown of expenditures has remained largely consistent throughout the last decade.
However, DOGE’s initiatives have largely targeted smaller budget segments, omitting the areas that drive the majority of federal spending, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
As senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, Nat Malkus points out, “If the savings are rather small and the pain is high, DOGE is going to be a liability.”
He emphasizes that any substantial reduction in federal spending would necessitate tackling the larger programs that dominate the budget.
There have been some documented reductions in spending across various federal agencies since the beginning of Trump’s administration.
However, Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy at the White House, cautions against drawing final conclusions too early, noting, “The fiscal year ends September 30. There’s still a lot more year left so let’s see where we are at the end of the year.”
Musk’s DOGE has reported savings of $160 billion through the cancellation of contracts, grants, and workforce cuts, focusing primarily on smaller federal agencies.
Yet, only around $60 billion of these claims is documented in DOGE’s online “wall of receipts,” raising concerns about the accuracy and transparency of reported savings.
Malkus estimates the realistic savings from DOGE’s efforts to be around $80 billion, still a comparatively small fraction of the overall federal budget.
Even if the advertised savings amount of $160 billion were accepted, it represents a mere 2% of an entire year’s national budget, akin to a family trying to cut a $10,000 monthly expense by only $200.
Supporters of the Trump administration’s cost-cutting initiatives view them as crucial for combating fraud and waste, and attempting to address the increasing national debt, which currently stands at $36 trillion.
The reported savings of $160 billion from DOGE account for about 0.5% of the national debt burden.
This scenario is compared to a family reducing a $10,000 credit card balance by just $50.
Moreover, a recent independent analysis from the Partnership for Public Service highlighted that the disruptions from DOGE’s cuts may have cost taxpayers around $135 million, further complicating the narrative surrounding cost savings.
In recent statements, Musk indicated that the operations of DOGE may be winding down, raising questions on the future of envisioned spending reductions.
Individuals interested in exploring federal spending can access the Treasury’s daily financial reports to dissect spent amounts by category during Trump’s first few months in office compared to the same period in prior years.
This analysis allows for a detailed understanding of program expenditures and their implications on the overall budget.
The deep dive offers insights into federal spending patterns for agencies that have spent over $100 million since January 20, 2025, allowing citizens to better grasp the relevant budgetary changes and ongoing financial commitments within the government.
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