Was doge ever anything more than a "get root, grab the data, and run" operation?

Maybe, but destroying USAID was an unforgivable sin. Short of nukes, rapidly turning off direct medical and food aid that people in critical need have relied on for years is objectively one of the fastest way to kill millions of people.

It's pretty obvious now.

Don't forget the destruction of USAID and countless projects that had the word "diversity" in its work.

I think more important than that was shutting down all investigations into Musk's companies.