New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is rolling out a brand-new government reform project — but many Americans immediately noticed something familiar about it.
On Thursday, Mamdani announced the launch of the “Commission on Government Efficiency,” also known as COGE, a new initiative aimed at reviewing New York City operations and recommending ways to improve how the government functions.
The name quickly raised eyebrows because it closely resembles the widely discussed Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, championed by President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.
That federal effort became nationally known for pushing aggressive spending cuts, reducing bureaucracy, and eliminating waste inside government agencies.
Now, critics are wondering why Democrats suddenly appear interested in the same “government efficiency” message they spent years attacking.
During a press conference Thursday, Mamdani denied that his commission was connected to Trump or Musk’s initiative.
“It’s just the name,” the mayor claimed, while arguing that government efficiency should not be viewed as a Republican-only issue.
Mamdani also took aim at Musk, accusing him of using efficiency reforms as an excuse to slash jobs and reduce programs.
But many observers noted the political irony almost immediately.
For years, Democrats blasted Trump allies for talking about shrinking bloated government systems. Now, one of the nation’s most high-profile progressive mayors is using nearly identical language while promoting his own reform agenda.
According to the mayor’s office, the new commission will examine the New York City Charter, collect public feedback, and recommend changes designed to improve city operations.
Mamdani insisted his version of efficiency would focus on improving services rather than cutting them.
“Our focus is actually delivering efficiency,” he said during the event.
The mayor also acknowledged that legal battles could follow the creation of the commission but expressed confidence that the city would prevail if challenged in court.
Political strategist Patrick Gaspard, former president of the left-leaning Center for American Progress, will lead the project. Ann Cheng, a former New York State official, was selected as executive director.
Cheng praised the initiative online, saying city agencies often face major bureaucratic limitations that prevent employees from effectively serving the public.
The commission’s first public meeting is scheduled for June 4, with a public hearing expected on June 9.
Still, for many conservatives, the biggest story may not be the commission itself.
Instead, it is the growing trend of Democrat leaders embracing ideas and messaging that closely resemble policies pushed for years by President Trump and his allies — especially when it comes to cutting waste, streamlining government, and demanding accountability from public institutions.
As frustration with government inefficiency continues to grow nationwide, even some longtime Trump critics now appear eager to adopt the language voters have increasingly responded to.