Musk DOGE Capitol Hill/ Ramaswamy budget cuts/ Trump government efficiency plan/ David Sacks AI crypto czar/ federal budget deficit 2024/ Trump administration reform/ WASHINGTON/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to advance President-elect Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) plan. Proposals include budget cuts, reducing federal programs, and regulatory rollbacks. Discussions emphasized efficiency, but raised questions about transparency and bipartisan cooperation.
Musk and Ramaswamy Advance Trump’s DOGE Plan: Quick Looks
- DOGE Agenda: Aims to slash $2 trillion in spending and cut federal programs.
- Capitol Meeting: Republican-led brainstorming session on budget priorities.
- Bipartisan Divide: Few Democrats attended; GOP seeks bold cuts.
- Ethics Concerns: DOGE’s advisory role raises transparency and accountability issues.
- David Sacks Named: Trump appoints ex-PayPal exec to lead AI and crypto initiatives.
Musk, Ramaswamy Present Trump’s Budget-Cutting DOGE Plan to Congress
Deep Look
DOGE on Capitol Hill
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to spearhead his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spent Thursday engaging with lawmakers about reshaping federal spending. The initiative, part of Trump’s “Save America” agenda, seeks to reduce government size, fire workers, and slash programs and regulations.
Musk, accompanied by his young son, and Ramaswamy sat through a marathon session of ideas and proposals, including calls to review office space usage, push federal workers back to in-person roles, and eliminate redundant programs.
“We’re going to see a lot of change around here in Washington,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Republican-Backed Brainstorming
The closed-door meeting, held in the Capitol basement, drew mainly Republican lawmakers. Ideas ranged from downsizing the Department of Education to reevaluating Medicare and Social Security spending. House Speaker Johnson framed the session as a brainstorming event, with specifics to follow.
“Everything has to be looked at,” said Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., co-leader of the newly formed DOGE caucus, which includes over 50 Republicans and two Democrats.
Musk and Ramaswamy left with plans to hold follow-up meetings, possibly incorporating a public-facing podcast or other media platform to gather feedback on their proposals.
Criticism and Ethical Concerns
Democratic lawmakers largely skipped the session, citing concerns about DOGE’s lack of transparency. Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., attended briefly to advocate for efficiency without harming essential services.
Public advocacy groups also raised red flags. Lisa Gilbert and Robert Weissman of Public Citizen urged adherence to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which mandates transparency and accountability for panels advising on major government decisions.
“If the government is going to turn to unelected and politically unaccountable persons… it must ensure those recommendations come from a balanced and transparent process,” they wrote.
DOGE’s nongovernmental status exempts Musk and Ramaswamy from ethics and disclosure requirements typically imposed on federal employees.
Musk and Ramaswamy’s Role
While both Musk and Ramaswamy lack public service experience, they bring private-sector credentials to the initiative. Musk, whose companies have secured significant government contracts, has been a vocal Trump supporter. His transformation of Twitter into X and his millions in campaign contributions helped energize Trump’s 2024 presidential bid.
Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur, aligns with Trump’s goals of reducing government influence. Both have publicly championed the need for structural changes.
“DOGE has a historic opportunity for structural reductions in the federal government,” they wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed.
David Sacks Joins Trump’s Team
In addition to DOGE, Trump announced Thursday that venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks will serve as the White House “AI & Crypto Czar.” Sacks, a major donor to Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance, will lead the Presidential Council of Advisors for Science and Technology.
Sacks’ role aims to counter perceived Big Tech censorship while shaping U.S. policies on artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency.
Budget Cuts and Economic Impact
The U.S. federal budget faces a $1.8 trillion deficit, with total spending at $6 trillion. While Republicans blame overspending, Democrats cite tax cuts under Trump and George W. Bush as primary drivers.
“There’s no sacred cow,” said Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, suggesting no program is off-limits for reductions.
However, major programs like Social Security, Medicare, and veterans’ healthcare, which saw significant spending increases last year, are likely to face resistance. Public support for such programs has historically made deep cuts politically challenging.
Next Steps
Musk and Ramaswamy plan to maintain a visible presence in Washington, holding regular meetings and public discussions to build momentum for DOGE proposals. Their efforts signal Trump’s intent to push bold reforms early in his second term, but bipartisan cooperation remains uncertain.
“Let’s do some things to try and make government more efficient—without hurting people,” said Suozzi.
As the nation grapples with record deficits and polarized politics, DOGE’s ambitious agenda will likely be a defining feature of Trump’s presidency.
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