Summary of "DOGE: The Plan to Downsize the Government" – The Journal Podcast
Podcast Title: The Journal
Hosts: Kate Linebaugh, Ryan Knutson, Jessica Mendoza
Episode Title: DOGE: The Plan to Downsize the Government
Release Date: December 4, 2024
Introduction
In the December 4, 2024 episode of The Journal, hosts Kate Linebaugh and John McCormick delve into President-elect Donald Trump's ambitious plan to significantly reduce the size of the federal government. Titled "DOGE: The Plan to Downsize the Government," the episode explores the origins, objectives, key players, and potential ramifications of this bold initiative.
Origin and Meaning of DOGE
Kate Linebaugh introduces the term "Doge," initially a viral internet meme featuring a Shiba Inu dog, which later became the name of the cryptocurrency Dogecoin. She transitions to its new significance under President-elect Trump:
“[00:45] Kate Linebaugh: Now Doge has gone beyond the realm of memes and cryptocurrencies and into the government. It's the name of a new project created by President elect Donald Trump, and it stands for the Department of Government Efficiency.”
Objectives of DOGE
John McCormick emphasizes the scale and audacity of Trump's DOGE initiative:
“[01:23] John McCormick: What they're proposing here is so audacious that even if they managed to get 10% of it done, it would be a huge change to the size of the federal government and sort of the role of the federal government.”
The primary goals of DOGE include:
- Slashing Regulations: Reducing bureaucratic red tape that allegedly hinders innovation and economic growth.
- Reducing Federal Spending: Targeting the $6.75 trillion federal budget with an aim to lower taxes and curb government expenditure.
- Cutting Federal Jobs: Streamlining the workforce by eliminating redundant positions and departments.
Leadership: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy
Two high-profile allies of Trump are set to lead DOGE:
Elon Musk
John McCormick describes Musk's involvement and motivations:
“[05:00] John McCormick: He feels that government regulation has gotten in the way of innovation, including with some of his own companies, that things just take too long to get approved through the government, that it's slowing down innovation, that the economy could be moving at a much more rapid clip if there wasn't so much government in the way.”
Musk, known for his role in ventures like Tesla and SpaceX, previously engaged with the Dogecoin community, hinting at continuity in his support for the DOGE initiative:
“[05:35] John McCormick: I think the funniest name is Doge. The Doge Department of Government Efficiency.”
Vivek Ramaswamy
Ramaswamy brings significant attention to the initiative through his advocacy for a smaller government:
“[03:37] John McCormick: Here's John this was something that Ramaswamy talked about on the campaign trail a lot, that the government has become too big. It is no longer reflective of the wishes of Congress, the wishes of the people.”
He has proposed the elimination or reorganization of several federal agencies, including the Education Department, FBI, IRS, CDC, NRC, and ATF, arguing they have overextended their roles.
Strategy and Implementation
Recruitment and Team Composition
DOGE aims to recruit a small, dedicated team to spearhead this massive overhaul:
“[07:03] John McCormick: They're recruiting people on X and saying, if you want to be part of this mission and work your fanny off for, you know, about 18 months, come join us in this mission to downsize the federal government.”
The recruitment strategy focuses on voluntary participation, targeting dozens to a few hundred individuals rather than a large-scale hiring effort.
Proposed Actions
Key strategies include:
- Headcount Reduction: Suggesting that all federal employees return to the office five days a week, potentially leading to a significant drop in workforce retention.
- Eliminating Remote Work: Aiming to reduce costs associated with remote work and increase accountability.
- Reorganizing Agencies: Moving certain departments out of Washington, D.C., to areas with lower living costs, such as Des Moines, Iowa.
Challenges and Criticisms
Lack of Authority
DOGE operates outside the federal government, limiting its authority to make binding changes:
“[08:05] John McCormick: No, it really isn't a government. It has department in its name, but it's not really going to be a government department. It's going to exist outside of the federal government.”
Significant changes require Congressional approval, making the implementation of DOGE's recommendations challenging.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
There are concerns about the influence of DOGE on Musk’s business interests:
“[10:22] Kate Linebaugh: Could it be potentially beneficial for their business interests? Like, is there a kind of conflict of interest potentially here?"
“[10:30] John McCormick: Yeah, there's huge potential for conflict of interest. Maybe there are things that are going to help Musk's electric vehicle business that could move more quickly if the government wasn't involved, his SpaceX efforts.”
Opposition from Federal Unions
Federal employee unions, notably the National Federation of Federal Employees representing 110,000 workers, are preparing to resist DOGE's efforts through legal challenges and lobbying.
Legislative and Legal Hurdles
Most DOGE’s proposals require legislation, which faces an uphill battle in a potentially divided Congress. Additionally, the initiative anticipates facing legal challenges that could delay or block its implementation.
Potential Impact on Americans
If DOGE successfully implements its recommendations, the effects on everyday Americans could be profound:
- Reduction in Federal Services: Agencies like the IRS and CDC may face understaffing, impacting services such as tax audits and public health initiatives.
- Shift in Federal Roles: States and local governments might need to take on responsibilities previously handled by federal agencies, potentially leading to inconsistencies in service delivery.
- Economic Implications: While aiming to reduce taxes and stimulate growth, the reduction in federal spending could affect social programs and infrastructure projects.
“[13:34] John McCormick: If these recommendations were truly to succeed, these changes would be deeply felt by Americans. There would be, you know, potentially an IRS that no longer has enough people to perform regular audits. You might have a Department of Education that no longer exists, that states would have to sort of, you know, do all of their own educational coordination.”
Historical Context
John McCormick notes that DOGE represents an unprecedented level of proposed change:
“[14:09] John McCormick: No, there's never been anything this dramatically proposed before. There have been commissions, you know, during the Reagan years to study the size of the federal government, but nothing that has been so, you know, dramatic in what's being suggested here.”
The initiative aligns with longstanding conservative aspirations for a smaller federal government but surpasses previous efforts in scale and ambition.
Executive Actions and Future Outlook
While DOGE's broader objectives require legislative support, certain aspects can be addressed through executive actions. For instance, mandating a return to the office for federal workers can be implemented without Congressional approval:
“[12:53] John McCormick: Yes. I mean, Trump can do some things through executive action, and he almost certainly will. I think this calling workers back to the workplace full time will be one of the first things that he does as an executive action…”
However, more substantial changes, such as relocating federal departments, will remain constrained by the need for Congressional and, potentially, judicial approval.
Conclusion
"DOGE: The Plan to Downsize the Government" presents a bold and contentious roadmap for restructuring the federal government under President-elect Trump. With influential leaders like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy at the helm, the initiative aims to significantly reduce federal size and expenditure. While the goals resonate with conservative ideals, the plan faces substantial hurdles, including limited authority, potential conflicts of interest, union opposition, and the necessity for legislative approval. The outcome of DOGE's efforts will have far-reaching implications for the structure of the U.S. government and the daily lives of its citizens.
Additional Reporting: Justin Layhart and Richard Rubin
This summary is based on the transcript provided and aims to capture all essential discussions and insights from the podcast episode while excluding advertisements and non-content sections.