The Reason Roundtable

DOGE vs. Deep State

22 snips
Feb 10, 2025
Christian Britschgi, a Reason staff writer, dives into the ambitious initiatives of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) aiming to cut spending and reform federal agencies. The discussion highlights the tension between aggressive budget cuts and systematic improvements in government operations. They also explore the influence of viral memes, like Doge, on political perceptions. Additionally, the conversation touches on executive power dynamics during the Trump era and critiques of government transparency with regard to spending and media trust.
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ANECDOTE

DOGE vs. Deep State

  • Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is attempting to centralize government payments and personnel systems.
  • This involves sending staffers into agencies and accessing Treasury data, but has faced legal pushback.
INSIGHT

DOGE's Shifting Vision

  • DOGE's initial goal was to cut $2 trillion, but Musk now aims for less, focusing on government software upgrades.
  • Vivek Ramaswamy's departure marked a shift from traditional limited government to a focus on efficiency.
INSIGHT

Politico Subscriptions

  • The federal government's spending on Politico subscriptions sparked outrage but is relatively small.
  • This highlights the difficulty of responsible journalism in a politically charged climate.
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