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A new report says close aides to Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have begun interviewing federal officials at the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). There is.
DOGE representatives met with officials from more than a dozen federal agencies, including the Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Homeland Security and Department of Health and Human Services, The Washington Post reported Friday.
Musk and Ramaswamy lead DOGE, a blue ribbon commission separate from the federal government that seeks to address issues around government spending, waste, efficiency and operations. They are expected to propose executive action to the Trump administration and work with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to initiate reforms.
The committee aims to cut a total of $2 trillion from the federal budget through spending, government programs, and federal workforce reduction efforts.
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President-elect Trump announced that Elon Musk (left) and Vivek Ramaswamy (right) will lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on November 12, 2024. (Getty Images)
But Musk recently cast doubt on the possibility of cutting $2 trillion from the federal budget, saying he would likely cut $1 trillion.
“I think we’re going to strive for $2 trillion. I think that’s the best outcome,” Musk said Wednesday at the CES technology trade show in Las Vegas, according to the paper. “But I think there needs to be some excess. If you’re going to get $2 trillion, I think there’s a good chance you’ll get $1.” [trillion]. ”
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have expressed support for working with DOGE, with Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Florida) and Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) last year announcing the “Delivering Superior Government Efficiency (DOGE)” ” announced the creation of a parliamentary group.
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“Our nation’s debt exceeds a staggering $36 trillion, and it should serve as a wake-up call to all Americans,” Bean, co-chair of the House DOGE caucus, said in a statement in November. “We must take action to avoid falling headlong off the cliff of fiscal ruin. I am thrilled that President-elect Trump has appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswami to lead DOGE. But it’s not an easy task to take on Crazy Town. They’ll have what it takes.”Partner. ”
Similarly, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) will oversee the Senate DOGE caucus.
“Finally, the tables have turned, the knives are out and the waste is on the chopping block,” Ernst said in a statement in November.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) speaks with reporters after the Senate Republicans’ weekly policy luncheon at the Capitol on March 6, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Reuters/Bonnie Cash)
Currently, DOGE boasts a staff of about 50 people working out of SpaceX’s offices in Washington, D.C., and aims to roughly double that number when President-elect Trump takes office on January 20. The Post reported.
A representative for Ramaswamy declined to comment to Fox News Digital.
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DOGE appears to be a source of inspiration for other similar efforts at the state level. For example, Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte of battleground state New Hampshire announced Thursday the creation of the Commission on Government Efficiency, known as COGE.
“COGE will make us smarter than ever before in finding better ways to save taxpayers money and serve our state’s residents,” Ayotte said in his inaugural address. said.
Diana Stancey is a political reporter for Fox News Digital, covering the White House.
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