Trump and Musk defend cutting federal programs under new DOGE initiative

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US President Donald Trump and ally Elon Musk have defended the slashing of federal government programs and employees under the South Africa-born billionaire’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) program.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday afternoon in the Oval Office, Musk said he was not orchestrating a “hostile takeover of government,” but instead giving the voters what they asked for. He insisted the DOGE department, which he heads, has been “maximally transparent” in the efforts.

“The people voted for major government reform. There should be no doubt about that,” Musk said. “The people voted for major government reform. And that’s what people are going to get.”

Musk claimed that he and Trump spoke daily and frequently discussed what needed to be done and where he should concentrate his efforts within the government.

Asked if he is, in effect, policing himself because he has several government contracts, Musk maintained that there has never been “an organisation that has been more transparent than the DOGE organisation,” and the public can see for itself whether there are conflicts of interest.

“I fully expect to be scrutinised and get, you know, a daily proctologist exam,” Musk told reporters.

‘I always abide by the courts’

Last week, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking Trump and Musk’s move to reduce the size and cost of government after a petition from 19 state attorneys argued that the DOGE is not an official government department and violates federal law.

Musk and Vice President JD Vance have attacked the legitimacy of judicial oversight, a pillar of American democracy based on the separation of powers.

However, when reporters asked Trump on Tuesday if he would abide by the courts, as several federal judges challenged his efforts, the US president said he would.

“I always abide by the courts, always abide by them, and will appeal,” Trump said.

In exchange for cash incentives, Trump and Musk are pressuring federal employees to quit to reduce the size of the federal government.

In addition to offering millions of workers a way out, DOGE representatives have taken steps to freeze government funds and operations of US foreign aid organisations like the US Agency for International Development (USAID). DOGE staff have also been accused of unilaterally entering several key government departments to monitor expenditures.

Critics of the massive cost-cutting initiative, including prominent Democrats, have said it will have serious domestic and international consequences.

Opponents have also cited conflict of interest concerns should Musk, who has lucrative contracts with the US government, examine the Pentagon’s books or gain access to the personal financial data of millions of Americans.