Former Democratic Minnesota Representative Dean Phillips voiced frustration with his own party during a Tuesday appearance on Newsmax, arguing that Democrats should prioritize efficiency in government spending to better serve American taxpayers. His comments come amid ongoing controversy over Elon Musk’s involvement in federal government efficiency initiatives, which have drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers.
During an interview on Rob Schmitt Tonight, Phillips emphasized the need for greater accountability and efficiency in federal programs. “I’ve been trying to convince my Democratic colleagues for years that we should prioritize efficiency, good value for American taxpayers, and ensure our federal government operates more effectively,” he said. “That means injecting some private-sector disciplines into a public-sector system that really needs it.”
Phillips pointed to Elon Musk as an example of someone proficient in driving efficiency, though he acknowledged the controversial nature of Musk’s involvement in government initiatives. “Who is more proficient at efficiency than Elon Musk? But he comes with some baggage, as we all know,” Phillips said.
Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), addressed the criticism during a Tuesday evening appearance on Fox News’ Hannity. He suggested that the intense pushback from Democrats indicates his team is making significant progress. “Why are they reacting like this?” Musk asked. “I guess we must be over the target or doing something right. They wouldn’t be complaining so much if we weren’t doing something useful.”
Musk’s comments followed his February 3 announcement on X that he and former President Donald Trump had agreed to restructure the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), placing it under the control of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Musk and his team have identified billions of dollars in taxpayer waste within USAID programs, but Democrats have criticized the move as unlawful and unconstitutional.
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During the interview, Musk argued that his efforts are aimed at restoring the will of the people by addressing inefficiencies within the federal bureaucracy. “What we’re finding is that there’s an unelected bureaucracy — speaking of unelected, there’s a vast federal bureaucracy that is implacably opposed to the president and the cabinet,” Musk said. He added that the resistance from Washington, D.C., where 92% of voters supported Vice President Kamala Harris in the last election, highlights a disconnect between the bureaucracy and the broader electorate.
Democrats have protested Musk’s involvement in government efficiency efforts, particularly his access to federal data. Critics have raised concerns about potential overreach and violations of the Constitution’s Appointments Clause, which requires Senate confirmation for certain federal roles. Last week, 14 Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against Musk, arguing that his role in the Trump administration contravenes this clause. While Judge Tanya Chutkan acknowledged the plausibility of the claim, she denied the request to block Musk’s actions, limiting her ruling to the issue of irreparable harm.
Despite the legal challenges, the DOGE team has continued its work, uncovering issues such as federal retirement files stored in a Pennsylvania limestone mine and potential fraud within the Social Security Administration. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump supports DOGE’s efforts, stating that the president’s latest directive was to “identify fraud” within Social Security, including duplicate payments and benefits sent to deceased individuals.
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Phillips stressed the importance of bipartisan collaboration in addressing government inefficiencies. He argued that both parties should work together to ensure transparency and effectiveness in federal programs. “There’s a nuance here,” he said. “I’m trying to convince both sides to reach that conclusion.”
Phillips highlighted USAID as an example of a program that, while important, could benefit from improved efficiency. “USAID, if you look really carefully at it, is the most inexpensive, humane arsenal in our national defense toolbox that helps build the American brand,” he said. “Is it as efficient and effective as we would want? No. But I don’t think we should do wholesale elimination of entire agencies without some transparency, without some conversation.”
A CBS News poll released on February 9 showed strong public support for Trump’s second term, with 53% of Americans approving of his performance and 70% stating that he is following through on his campaign promises. The poll also found that 49% of respondents believe Trump is doing more than they expected, while only 9% think he is doing less.
As debates over government efficiency and private-sector involvement continue, Phillips’ remarks and Musk’s efforts underscore the growing tension between reform-minded initiatives and concerns about oversight and constitutional compliance. The outcome of these efforts could have significant implications for the future of federal government operations and the balance of power between elected officials and the bureaucracy.
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