Republican Governors Hail Department of Government Efficiency, Decry Democrats’ Opposition
At the National Governors Association’s winter meeting, Republican governors expressed optimism about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative launched by former President Donald Trump. Gov. Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) underscored the alignment between DOGE’s mission and Republican fiscal principles.
Republican Fiscal Responsibility and DOGE
Reeves praised DOGE for its efforts to identify waste, fraud, and abuse in federal spending. He emphasized that Republican governors prioritize fiscal responsibility and accountability. "Part of that is because, as governors, we have to balance our budgets back home," Reeves said. "For us to see the efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency, by Elon Musk and his team with the support of President Trump, it gives us great reason for optimism."
Billions in Misspent Funds
Reeves believes that DOGE’s audits can save billions of dollars in unnecessary spending. "We think that there are literally billions and billions of dollars in spending in the federal government that should not be spent, that are for waste, fraud, and abuse," he said.
Rejection by Democrats
To Reeves, the opposition to DOGE by Democrats is perplexing. "I’m really perplexed as to why Democrats have not actually supported these efforts," he said. "There was a time in America where all politicians of reasonable stripes would say we ought to try to make government more efficient. We ought to ensure that government money is being spent in the right way."
Constitutional Crisis Claims
Dismissing Democrats’ claims of a constitutional crisis due to Trump’s executive orders and DOGE’s layoffs, Reeves argued that the president is simply fulfilling his duties. "When you talk about their claims of a constitutional crisis, a duly elected president managing the executive branch of government is not a constitutional crisis," he said. "In fact, it is exactly what the duly elected executive is supposed to do."
Trump’s Impact on Governors
Reeves credited Trump with empowering governors and fostering their voices in Washington. Unlike during President Joe Biden’s administration, Trump values governors’ perspectives regardless of political affiliation. "Having President Trump in office is a big plus, not only for me or for our Republican governors, but really for all governors," Reeves said.
Mississippi’s Progress
Reeves highlighted Mississippi’s advancements in education, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing. He expressed a desire to collaborate with Trump on initiatives to bolster manufacturing jobs. "Mississippi never gave up on manufacturing," Reeves said. "And that’s the reason we have a workforce that is ready for tremendous economic growth and prosperity. We’re going to take advantage of that."
Conclusion
Republican governors at the National Governors Association enthusiastically endorsed DOGE, viewing it as a tool to promote fiscal discipline and eliminate government inefficiencies. They condemned the Democrats’ resistance to DOGE, questioning their motives for supporting wasteful spending. President Trump’s return to the political arena was seen as a positive development for governors, providing them with a voice in shaping federal policy and fostering economic growth.
