Elon Musk's DOGE became shorthand for a hard-edged approach to efficiency, one that critics say often meant mass layoffs and service cuts dressed up as reform. Zohran Mamdani's version is meant to land differently, according to the city's press release, which says COGE will review the city charter and propose ways to move past bureaucratic barriers that slow infrastructure work and delay services.
Mamdani openly acknowledged the reference when asked about it, saying he did not intend to emulate Musk's project and that COGE would be what that initiative 'should've been,' while also accusing Musk of exploiting public frustration with government inefficiency to 'slash and burn' services people rely on.
