GOP Lawmakers Express Growing Frustration with Elon Musk’s Management of Government Efficiency Agency

GOP Lawmakers Express Growing Frustration with Elon Musk’s Management of Government Efficiency Agency

EXCLUSIVE: Discontent among House Republicans regarding Elon Musk’s management of his responsibilities within the federal government has reached a boiling point. During a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, lawmakers voiced their concerns about Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, commonly referred to as DOGE.

Communication Issues Among Lawmakers

Rep. Austin Scott from Georgia raised significant issues about a lack of alignment between Republican lawmakers, the White House, and DOGE. According to three attendees of the meeting, Scott emphasized the need for enhanced communication to avoid disarray.

He stated, “We are getting fed to the wolves while Elon is just tweeting,” reflecting a sentiment increasingly shared amongst his colleagues.

Need for Transparency and Constancy

Another Republican lawmaker reiterated Scott’s sentiments, noting, “Having some heads up on upcoming changes would be greatly appreciated. There are numerous questions left unanswered.” This plea for improved communication highlights the urgency within the GOP ranks.

Moreover, the phrase “words matter” resonated as lawmakers called for precise messaging that accurately reflects their initiatives.

Concerns Over DOGE Audits and Social Media Presence

During the discussion, Scott cautioned that DOGE’s auditing practices must be handled methodically, likening the process to the adage “measure twice, cut once.” Two other members, including Rep. Ralph Norman from South Carolina, pointed out that Musk’s social media activity on platforms like X had not gone unnoticed, particularly his reposting of a meme that labeled federal benefit recipients as the “parasite class.”

Norman explained, “Elon’s intent was to highlight those who misuse the system, yet Austin interprets it differently. His constituents found the comment offensive.”

Balancing Agency Requests and Public Perception

Scott expressed support for DOGE’s objective but reiterated that recent agency requests should have been coordinated beforehand. He stressed, “I am fully in favor of improving efficiency and curbing wasteful use of taxpayer dollars. However, labeling Americans seeking assistance as ‘parasites’ is totally unacceptable, regardless of context.”

Following their recent return to Capitol Hill after a week in their home districts, many GOP members faced inquiries from constituents about DOGE’s activities. These discussions were fueled by demonstrations organized by progressive activists aimed at highlighting issues they perceived with DOGE’s initiatives.

Support for Reducing Government Waste

While GOP lawmakers unanimously support the goal of cutting government waste, many have expressed reservations about Musk’s approach. Complaints also surfaced regarding directives for federal employees to provide weekly reports on their work performance.

Despite Musk’s claims that compliance would not affect job status, he suggested on X that failure to submit these reports could lead to termination, which alarmed numerous lawmakers.

Concerns Over Treatment of Federal Employees

A House Republican reflected on training practices, stating, “This is not how decent employers treat their staff. Regardless of individual performance, most employees deserve respectful treatment as Americans.”

A member of the House DOGE Caucus also criticized Musk’s rhetoric, labeling it as unhelpful and detrimental to morale.

Controversial Proposals Spark Discontent

Some lawmakers took issue with Musk’s recent proposition to utilize DOGE savings to issue stimulus payments to Americans. One anonymous source labeled this idea “childish,” arguing that funds should be allocated toward addressing national debt or essential appropriations instead.

Public Outcry and Calls for Decency

Others shared frustrations publicly, including Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, who took to X to advocate for respect towards public workers, stating, “Our public workforce deserves dignity for the invaluable roles they play. The recent email offering justification for their roles was wholly inappropriate.”

Executive Responsibility on Personnel Matters

Rep. John Rutherford from Florida emphasized that the executive branch remains responsible for personnel changes. He stated, “Decisions about workforce reductions are a prerogative of President Trump and his administration. It is not within Congress’s purview to intervene in executive agency affairs.”

Majority Support for Musk Remains Strong

Despite growing criticism, a significant portion of Republican lawmakers publicly support Musk’s initiatives. Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana highlighted that many constituents appreciate the DOGE’s efforts to improve governmental efficiency, stating, “The majority of Americans recognize the importance of scaling down government size and fostering efficiency through Musk’s leadership at DOGE.”

As this situation unfolds, Fox News Digital has reached out for comments from DOGE and the White House. The responses may shed more light on this dynamic and ongoing political landscape.