Today, I’m talking with Senator Ron Wyden, a democrat and the senior senator from Oregon. He’s been in the Senate for almost 30 years, which makes him one of longest serving members of the institution. We scheduled this interview with Senator Wyden a while ago — he’s got a new book out called “It Takes Chutzpah: How to Fight Fearlessly for Progressive Change.” 

But recent events made it vastly more important to talk about the state of our federal government – and specifically, what Elon Musk and DOGE are doing as they seize power in various federal agencies. So right up front and very bluntly, I wanted to ask Wyden: What is even going on? And can even he and his fellow senators keep up with it?

Links: 

• It Takes Chutzpah | Hachette Book Group
• DOGE wreaked havoc on the government in just one week | Verge
• “For all practical purposes, I’d call that a coup.” | Verge
• Elon Musk’s presidency is just getting started | Decoder
• Elon Musk’s computer coup | Vergecast
• Can anyone stop President Musk? | Verge
• Demand for GAO to investigate what Elon is doing at Treasury [PDF]
• Senator Has Dire Warning About Letting Elon Musk Run Wild | New Republic
• “Trump and Bessent are asking you not to believe what’s playing out right in front of your eyes.” | Wyden (Bluesky)
• “My message to Musk is simple: get your hands off our money and get the hell out.” Wyden (Bluesky)

Credits:

Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Our producers are Kate Cox and Nick Statt. Our editor is Ursa Wright. 

The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.

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