Washington — President Donald Trump highlighted a new federal initiative on Sept. 29 that promises to make government services easier for everyday Americans. The administration’s redesigned America.gov website now serves as a single, AI‑powered entry point for information drawn from the nation’s roughly 29,000 government sites.
Engineer behind the digital hub
Edward Coristine, a former software engineer for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and known in Washington by the nickname “Big Balls,” was singled out by the president as the lead engineer on the project. In an interview at the White House, Coristine explained that the sheer number of government websites creates a confusing maze for citizens trying to access services.
“It’s insane that there are 29,000 government websites,” Coristine said. “The goal is to give people one place to find what they need without having to guess which site to use.”
What America.gov will do
The revamped portal will let users search for information, receive answers sourced directly from federal agencies, and eventually complete transactions online. Coristine cited Medicare enrollment as a current pain point, noting that many people must bounce between Medicare.gov and the Social Security website to sign up for benefits.
“Companies usually have one website where everything is easy to find,” he said. “We should have the same vision for the government.”
First‑time passport applications go digital
One of the most tangible changes slated for the near future is the ability to apply for a new passport entirely online. At present, only passport renewals are available digitally, while first‑time applicants must visit a post office, have a photo taken, and submit paperwork in person.
Coristine described the existing process as “very manual.” Under the new system, users could take a passport photo at home, preview how it will appear on the document, and complete the entire application without leaving the America.gov site.
President Trump’s vision for a modern government
President Trump framed the effort as part of a broader “golden age” of American technology. He likened his role to that of a hospitality host, emphasizing the need for government to be welcoming and easy to navigate.
“I’ve been in the hospitality business my whole career,” Coristine said of the president. “A great host makes things clean and simple for guests, and that’s what this portal aims to do for citizens.”
Security and safety backdrop
Coristine also praised recent federal actions that have improved safety in Washington, D.C. He credited the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, created by President Trump in March 2025, for a sharp decline in crime and for making the capital a safer place to walk.
“I really thank President Trump for making D.C. safe again,” Coristine said, referencing the task force’s first‑year results of more than 16,000 arrests, 3,200 narcotics arrests, and nearly 2,000 illegal firearms seized.
Looking ahead
The administration plans to expand America.gov’s capabilities over the coming months, adding more services and refining the AI’s ability to answer citizen questions accurately. While the rollout is still in its early stages, officials say the portal will eventually replace the need to navigate the sprawling network of federal websites.
“We’re building a single point of entry that will make government work for the people, not the other way around,” Coristine concluded.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
