Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency: Mixed Reviews from Budget Hawks
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Conservative advocates for government downsizing have expressed mixed opinions on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk.
Initial Success and Potential
Grover Norquist, founder of Americans for Tax Relief, praised Musk's early findings, asserting that the group has already yielded "savings far greater than its initial cost." Norquist believes Musk's unique access to President Trump and social media influence have propelled DOGE's success.
Brittany Madni, of the Economic Policy Innovation Center, sees DOGE as a transformative opportunity to address long-standing challenges in federal spending. She believes Musk's high profile and direct access to Trump's administration could lead to significant cuts and spending reductions.
Symbolic Targets and Limited Impact
However, other budget hawks argue that it is too early to judge DOGE's effectiveness. Jessica Riedl of the Manhattan Institute suggests that Musk's focus on eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives has appeased Trump's base but has yielded minimal actual savings. She believes DOGE's efforts to encourage voluntary employee separations are similarly more symbolic than fiscally impactful.
Alex Nowrasteh, of the Cato Institute, views DOGE's recommendations as a "public relations campaign" aimed at discrediting the federal government. He argues that the group is aligning itself with conservative voters before seeking broader support for more substantial cuts.
Reaching Beyond Conservative Base
Madni believes that DOGE's potential extends beyond targeting specific agencies. She suggests that Musk's influence could empower the Republican-controlled Congress to implement broader budget cuts.
Future Considerations
Despite the initial support and skepticism, all budget hawks agree that it remains too early to assess the full impact of DOGE. Musk's $2 trillion goal for savings is ambitious, and it is unclear whether the group can achieve such a substantial reduction in the federal budget.