‘We’re going to gut the fish’: Republicans give details from closed-door meetings with DOGE’s Musk, Ramaswamy
Congressional Republicans are gearing up to work closely with Tesla CEO Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy as they lead President-elect Trump’s newly formed spending cuts project, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The duo made their presence known in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, starting their day by meeting with members of the Senate DOGE Caucus before moving on to a meeting with House GOP leaders and House DOGE Caucus representatives.
During their visit to Capitol Hill, Musk and Ramaswamy addressed a joint meeting with Republicans from both chambers, where they discussed their plans for slashing government spending and improving government efficiency under the upcoming Trump administration. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the incoming chair of the DOGE House subcommittee, revealed that Musk mentioned the existence of a “naughty list” and a “nice list” for lawmakers, hinting at potential consequences for those who do not support their efforts.
GOP Senators were reportedly “very impressed” with the framework presented by Musk and Ramaswamy during their meetings on Capitol Hill. There was a significant focus on education and the redundancy of government workers, with lawmakers acknowledging the need for substantial improvements in these areas. The co-chairs of the DOGE House caucus emphasized the importance of addressing waste, fraud, and abuse within government programs and discussed the potential for quick wins in enhancing government efficiency.
The timeframe for the DOGE project, set to conclude by July 4, 2026, was highlighted as a critical factor in ensuring agency efficiency. Lawmakers expressed their determination to make significant cuts to government spending, with Rep. Troy Nehls stating that they are “going to gut the fish.” However, some members, like Rep. Chip Roy, expressed skepticism about relying on the new department to achieve cost savings, calling for a focus on exposing inefficiencies within Congress itself.
Despite differing opinions, there was a consensus on the need for an outside perspective on government operations, with Rep-elect Mike Haridolopos emphasizing the importance of accountability and productivity among government employees. Musk also expressed his openness to including Democratic members in DOGE conversations, signaling a bipartisan approach to addressing government inefficiencies.
Overall, the meetings with Musk and Ramaswamy were seen as a positive step towards achieving greater government efficiency and reducing wasteful spending. As they continue to work with Congressional Republicans, the DOGE duo is expected to play a significant role in shaping the future of government operations in the United States.
