Republicans Love Trump’s DOGE

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a staunch ally of former President Trump, recently expressed strong support for tech mogul Elon Musk’s efforts to revolutionize government operations with the launch of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In an interview with CNN’s Manu Raju, Jordan defended Musk’s initiatives, emphasizing that he was comfortable with the bold actions Musk and his team are taking to expose inefficiencies within the federal bureaucracy.

Jordan acknowledged that while Musk’s reforms may initially face resistance, he believes that Congress will eventually step in. When asked whether he was comfortable with Trump’s team attempting to reduce or eliminate agencies without congressional approval, Jordan pointed out that conservatives have long argued for the dismantling of ineffective government bodies, such as the Department of Education. “We’ve been saying for years that these agencies are riddled with waste, fraud, and abuse,” Jordan remarked. “Elon Musk and his team are shining a light on these issues, and rather than defend the obvious problems, critics attack the person exposing the truth.”

The conversation then shifted to the constitutional limits of executive power. While CNN’s Raju noted that Congress controls the nation’s purse strings, Jordan responded by reaffirming the president’s role as the primary decision-maker. “It’s the president who should be leading the charge, not some bureaucrat in an agency,” he said. “Musk and his team are federal employees, working to implement the will of the president and the American people.”

Jordan also addressed the prospect of Musk shutting down agencies like USAID and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), noting that voters clearly supported Trump’s vision for government reform when they elected him. “The American people knew exactly what they were voting for when they chose Trump, and the actions of Musk’s team reflect that mandate,” he said. Jordan believes that, while Congress may eventually get involved, Musk’s reform efforts are consistent with the promises made during the campaign.

Finally, when asked if Musk’s reforms needed more oversight, Jordan confidently stated that the media’s constant scrutiny of Musk’s efforts serves as a sufficient check. “The real guardrails are the press,” Jordan quipped, “who are covering this every day.”