Latest news with #U.S.DepartmentofGovernmentEfficiency
Winnipeg Free Press
09-07-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Promises of big changes don't always deliver
Opinion Sometimes, big numbers in politics are more performative than anything else. They're a way of demonstrating that you are taking an issue seriously — and in the process, make a memorable mark with voters who might otherwise lose their way in the thicket of promises of smaller numbers and lesser goals. Perhaps the best recent demonstration of that was the efforts of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, which, when it was launched, claimed it could cut US$2 trillion from the U.S. federal budget. That ambitious target was lowered to US$1 trillion, and then to US$190 billion, and the numbers are still in dispute. (At the same time, budgetary moves by the Trump government wracked up far more new costs that Musk's effort saved.) Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press Prime Minister Mark Carney But back to our own Canadian big numbers. This week, details came out about a letter from Prime Minister Mark Carney's finance minister, Francois-Philippe Champagne, to federal cabinet members, telling them to find 'ambitious' savings in their program budgets by the fall. The goal? To cut program spending by 7.5 per cent by April of 2026, followed by another 10 per cent spending cut by 2027, and a further 15 per cent by 2028. The money saved is needed to address other federal commitments — like the increase in federal defence spending that Carney has already committed to. The Globe and Mail printed leaked portions of the ministerial letters; 'You will be expected to bring forward ambitious savings proposals to spend less on the day-to-day running of government, and invest more in building a strong, united Canadian economy.' It's more than just a significant cut to spending — with numbers like that, it would be, in fact, one of the largest cuts to program spending in living memory for many Canadians. To find a similar-sized cut, you'd have to go back to the austerity measures brought in by then-prime minister Jean Chretien and his finance minister, Paul Martin, in the mid-1990s. For Canadians, it means things governmental will necessarily be slower, more complicated and more time-consuming. The thing about cuts in programs is that they involve shrinking the size of the federal civil service, because labour costs — salaries and benefits — are the largest single cost in any workplace, federal government or otherwise. Wednesdays A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom. Remember how frustrated and angry the Canadian public was with something as simply as lengthy delays for new passports? Or the ire triggered by lengthy delays in handling tax issue complaints and reviews by the Canadian Revenue Agency? Or the frustrations over staffing issues making it impossible to understand how to handle opaque instructions when the CRA brought in new rules about how Canadians had to file in new and complicated documents for something as simple as acting as a cosigner on a mortgage for a child's house purchase? People regularly complain about the perceived lack of efficiency in government workplaces. And shrinking the federal civil service won't do anything to help things run more smoothly, no matter how much the federal government moves to chatbots and non-human technology to bolster its efforts to serve the public. There's very little detail of how those savings will work, or just where the belt-tightening is most likely going to be felt. But giving the broad reach of the plan — across all federal departments — it's impossible for the impact of the cuts not to trickle down to any Canadian's direct dealings with the federal government. Will the big promises actually end up being big cuts? Time will tell. But you'll know it when you feel their impact.
Reuters
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
DOGE enters US ATF with mandate to slash gun regulations, Washington Post reports
WASHINGTON, June 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency has sent staff to the agency that enforces federal gun laws with the goal of revising or eliminating more than 50 rules and gun restrictions by July 4, the Washington Post reported on Friday. DOGE is working with the general counsel of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to cut the regulations as the Trump administration drastically reduces the number of inspectors, the newspaper reported. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report. Representatives for DOGE and the Justice Department, which oversees ATF, did not immediately return a request for comment. The move illustrates a larger shift on gun control promised by the Republican administration of President Donald Trump, who narrowly survived a July assassination attempt by a gunman during the presidential campaign. An adviser said shortly after that attempt that Trump would safeguard gun rights by appointing federal judges who oppose new firearm limits if he won the election in November. He signed an executive order in February directing the attorney general to "review all orders, regulations, guidance, plans, and other actions by the Biden Administration regarding firearms" and eliminate infringements on gun rights. In May, Trump's administration agreed to permit the sale and possession of devices that let gun enthusiasts convert semiautomatic rifles into weapons that can shoot as fast as machine guns. Fifteen Democratic-led U.S. states filed a lawsuit on June 9, seeking to block the move.
USA Today
11-06-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Musk says he went 'too far' as wimpy billionaire begs Trump to rekindle bromance
Musk says he went 'too far' as wimpy billionaire begs Trump to rekindle bromance | Opinion You see, guys like Musk and Trump have long painted themselves as tough, despite all available evidence to the contrary. Show Caption Hide Caption Elon Musk says he regrets some post about President Trump Elon Musk says some of his posts about President Trump "went too far" during a public war of words. It didn't take long for billionaire soy boy Elon Musk to start groveling at the feet of President Donald Trump. The seemingly inseparable pro-tyranny twins had a very public breakup last week. But on June 11, Musk issued the following weak-kneed, beta-male statement on social media: 'I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.' The world's richest suck-up didn't specify which of his posts went too far. Was it the one hoping Trump gets impeached so Vice President JD Vance can take over? The one about Trump's tariffs leading to a recession later this year? Or maybe it was the one where you suggested the administration is covering up Trump's connection to convicted sex offender Jeff Epstein? Musk's weak apology to Trump isn't going to get the job done That's a lot of 'Oops!' to choose from, and Musk's vague regret made the whole thing sound, at the risk of offending the pro-Musk macho men of the man-o-sphere, kinda weak. You see, guys like Musk and Trump have long painted themselves as tough, despite all available evidence to the contrary. Opinion: Musk erupts, claims Trump is in the Epstein files. Who could've seen this coming? Fake tough guys like Musk and Trump rely on optics Errol Musk, the Tesla CEO's father, said of the Trump/Musk feud: 'Things have gone over the top, but this is the situation when alphas fight it out.' Last September, Musk shared a post on X claiming the best thinkers are 'high T alpha males' and stating: 'This is why a Republic of high status males is best for decision making.' As the head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, Musk equated himself to The Godfather, parading around in a 'Dogefather' shirt. Opinion: Musk calls Trump's bill an 'abomination.' I hate it when our two weird dads fight. Musk, like Trump, speaks loudly and carries a small stick Musk posted toughly in February that journalists from '60 Minutes' deserve 'a long prison sentence.' Tough talk, right? Tough guy then, I suppose. Or not. Alpha males never back down, right Elon? Musk reared up and attacked President Trump – a man so weak that Wall Street traders use the term 'TACO,' for Trump Always Chickens Out – and within a week, Musk is backpedaling. If there's one thing I've learned from reading manly posts by insecure, poorly-adjusted dudes on the internet, it's that alpha males don't backpedal. What are you going to do next to get back in Trump's good graces, Elon? Offer to toss a baton and dance in the military parade our totally-secure-in-his-masculinity president is throwing for his birthday this weekend? Perhaps Musk could buy back the Tesla he sold to Trump Are you going to offer to buy back the Tesla he bought from you at twice the retail price? Maybe name a rocket after him? (On second thought, don't do that. It would probably explode and then you'd have some SERIOUS groveling to do.) The bottom line is that 'I regret some of my posts' ain't gonna cut it, you little snowflake. You're going to have to emasculate yourself way more than that if you want to win your way back into the heart of a guy so faux-tough he sent the U.S. Marines to Los Angeles to battle a relatively small number of largely peaceful protestors. Fake toughness demands exaggerated weakness. Cry more, Elon. I know you've got it in you. Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on Bluesky at @ and on Facebook at
Indianapolis Star
07-06-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Trump-Musk feud shows why GOP can't actually balance the budget
The honeymoon phase of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's bromance has been waning for weeks, and now their relationship appears torn beyond repair just as publicly as it started. The pair exchanged blows on social media June 5, with Trump threatening on Truth Social to strip Musk's companies of subsidies, while Musk took credit for the 2024 GOP victory and took to X to accuse Trump of being on the Jeffrey Epstein list. This ridiculous escalation distracts from the real point at issue, though. Musk seems frustrated that Republicans used him in their charade to balance the federal budget, frustrated that Trump used him for his own end. But he really should be frustrated that he was so gullible – because he should have seen all of this coming. I'm frustrated that this is the only thing receiving attention, considering the amount of work that needs to be done with the budget. Whether Musk genuinely believed himself when he promised to cut $2 trillion (before quickly tempering that estimate) is up for debate. If he did believe it, he was entirely naive about both the current state of the Republican Party and our federal government. Republicans thought they could use Musk as a political win and distraction, allowing him to claw back government spending through the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, while congressional Republicans authorized massive deficit increases. Even after accounting for the economic growth that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would stimulate, it's projected to add $2.4 trillion (yes, with a T) to the federal deficit over the next decade. This figure stands as a mountain next to the small pile of $2 billion (yes, with a B) worth of verifiable budget cuts from DOGE. Hicks: Soaring national debt means cities need to prepare for cuts All the while, Republicans and Trump sang Musk's praises, knowing that they would turn around and spend money that we don't have. But Musk should have realized it was all a show. Trump skyrocketed the deficit in his first presidency, and every promise he's ever given for a balanced budget has been a lie. As much as MAGA likes to claim otherwise, Trump's GOP is no different than the swamp creatures they like to criticize. Those who are actually interested in cutting government spending, which I think Musk at least somewhat seems to be, should not attach the idea to political parties because they will inevitably disappoint. There hasn't been a genuine effort to produce a balanced budget since the late 1990s, and there isn't likely to be from either Republicans or Democrats anytime soon. I'm not the least bit surprised that these two narcissists' relationship flamed out so quickly. There was never enough room in Trump's White House for both his and Musk's personalities. Trump has never maintained an extended relationship with somebody who is willing to disagree with him publicly. During his first term, Trump had extremely high personnel turnover rates, both among his Cabinet and his aides. Trump's 'you're fired' catchphrase really says a lot about his approach to relationships. He is quick to turn on people who disagree with him or even just publicly embarrass him. Hicks: Indiana's startling Medicaid math forces unpleasant choices Musk has been loudly advocating against Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" for its impact on the deficit. After a week of Musk criticizing the deficit spending in Trump's bill, the president has clearly had enough. He cannot tolerate a dissenting voice from within his ranks. Trump and the GOP are now likely to kick a powerful ally to the curb, all because Trump is so vain that he cannot handle differing opinions. This is why the Republican Party is now made up of yes-men, because they have allowed Trump to push all the spine that he can out of the party. Now that the sideshow of Musk is gone, Republicans have one less thing to hide behind. I'm not sure that makes it any more likely they'll act responsibly, but at least it's more transparent to Americans now.
The Herald Scotland
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Musk turns on Trump, and GOP spending can't hide behind DOGE
Musk seems frustrated that Republicans used him in their charade to balance the federal budget, frustrated that Trump used him for his own end. But he really should be frustrated that he was so gullible - because he should have seen all of this coming. Opinion: Musk erupts, claims Trump is in the Epstein files. Who could've seen this coming? I'm frustrated that this is the only thing receiving attention, considering the amount of work that needs to be done with the budget. Republicans used Elon Musk as a political smokescreen Whether Musk genuinely believed himself when he promised to cut $2 trillion (before quickly tempering that estimate) is up for debate. If he did believe it, he was entirely naive about both the current state of the Republican Party and our federal government. Republicans thought they could use Musk as a political win and distraction, allowing him to claw back government spending through the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, while congressional Republicans authorized massive deficit increases. Even after accounting for the economic growth that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would stimulate, it's projected to add $2.4 trillion (yes, with a T) to the federal deficit over the next decade. This figure stands as a mountain next to the small pile of $2 billion (yes, with a B) worth of verifiable budget cuts from DOGE. All the while, Republicans and Trump sang Musk's praises, knowing that they would turn around and spend money that we don't have. But Musk should have realized it was all a show. Trump skyrocketed the deficit in his first presidency, and every promise he's ever given for a balanced budget has been a lie. As much as MAGA likes to claim otherwise, Trump's GOP is no different than the swamp creatures they like to criticize. Opinion: Elon Musk is frustrated with Republicans wasting DOGE's effort to cut. So am I. Those who are actually interested in cutting government spending, which I think Musk at least somewhat seems to be, should not attach the idea to political parties because they will inevitably disappoint. There hasn't been a genuine effort to produce a balanced budget since the late 1990s, and there isn't likely to be from either Republicans or Democrats anytime soon. Trump and Musk have too big personalities to work together I'm not the least bit surprised that these two narcissists' relationship flamed out so quickly. There was never enough room in Trump's White House for both his and Musk's personalities. Trump has never maintained an extended relationship with somebody who is willing to disagree with him publicly. During his first term, Trump had extremely high personnel turnover rates, both among his Cabinet and his aides. Trump's "you're fired" catchphrase really says a lot about his approach to relationships. He is quick to turn on people who disagree with him or even just publicly embarrass him. Musk has been loudly advocating against Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" for its impact on the deficit. After a week of Musk criticizing the deficit spending in Trump's bill, the president has clearly had enough. He cannot tolerate a dissenting voice from within his ranks. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. Trump and the GOP are now likely to kick a powerful ally to the curb, all because Trump is so vain that he cannot handle differing opinions. This is why the Republican Party is now made up of yes-men, because they have allowed Trump to push all the spine that he can out of the party. Now that the sideshow of Musk is gone, Republicans have one less thing to hide behind. I'm not sure that makes it any more likely they'll act responsibly, but at least it's more transparent to Americans now. Dace Potas is an opinion columnist for USA TODAY and a graduate of DePaul University with a degree in political science.
