Jim Jordan backs Elon Musk’s authority to cut federal government

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) vehemently defended Elon Musk and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency’s campaign to slash federal spending — and declined to endorse the idea that Musk was stepping on Congress' power of the purse.

“It's interesting,” Jordan said on CNN’s “Inside Politics” on Sunday. “No one wants to defend the waste, fraud and abuse, so they attack the guy who's exposing all the waste, fraud and ridiculous things we're spending money on.”

Over the past few weeks, Musk and the DOGE team have zeroed in on the Trump administration’s mission to overhaul federal agencies and reduce staff. Entities like the United States Agency for International Development and Department of Education have been DOGE’s main targets, with Musk referring to USAID as a “criminal organization” on X.

The Trump administration ordered forced administrative leave for over 2,000 employees of the foreign aid agency last week, though a judge issued a temporary block on Friday of the action. Trump has since said he ordered DOGE to look into spending at the Education Department and the Defense Department on Friday.

When pushed by host Manu Raju as to whether Musk should wield so much power, Jordan doubled down on his defense: ”The folks who work for DOGE are federal employees carrying out the will of the executive branch leader, the president of the United States,” he said.

Spending authority in the Constitution (Article 1, Section 7, clause 1) originates with the House. Pressing the issue of legal authority further, Raju asked Jordan: “So, you're comfortable if he shuts those down without getting congressional approval?”

“Well, Congress will be involved at some point,” said Jordan, the current chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

In reaction to North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer’s comments about the need for guardrails on Musk, Jordan said “I think the guardrails are you all in the press who are talking about it every day.”

He added: “I do think what Elon and his team are doing, at the request, at the urging of the president — and it's something that he campaigned on. And It's something that people evaluated and voted for on November 5.”

Topics

The GSA Plans to Sell Hundreds of Its Federal Government Buildings

The General Services Administration, staffed at its upper levels by Elon Musk associates, plans to sell 500-plus buildings—some of which house government agencies and the offices of US senators.
Wired - 1h
Elon Musk defends DOGE as Trump orders agencies to comply with cuts

Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest man, took questions for the first time since the president gave him broad authority to overhaul the executive branch.
CBS News - 7h
Former Palantir and Elon Musk Associates Are Taking Over Key Government IT Roles

The chief information officers of at least three major government agencies have been replaced by Silicon Valley executives, including from Palantir and Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Wired - 7h
Elon Musk takes questions from Oval Office about government cuts

Elon Musk answered questions on Tuesday in the Oval Office next to President Donald Trump about his dramatic makeover of the federal government, saying they have identified billions of dollars in ...
NBC News - 9h
How Elon Musk's crusade against government could benefit Tesla

Elon Musk has long railed against the U.S. government, saying numerous investigations and safety programs have stymied Tesla, his electric car company, and its efforts to create fleets of robotaxis ...
ABC News - 1d
Elon Musk turns his sights to Social Security. Could he cut it?

For tens of millions of Americans, Social Security is the most vital federal program of all
MarketWatch - 4h
Elon Musk defends federal cuts, insists he has no conflict of interest

During a joint press conference appearance with President Trump Tuesday in the Oval Office, Elon Musk said his DOGE group was fighting waste, and defended the deep cuts that he has been making. ...
CBS News - 7h
Elon Musk denies 'hostile takeover' of government in surprise White House appearance

The world's richest man took questions for the first time since he was appointed to lead a sweeping government cost-cutting effort.
BBC News - 19h
Musk defends government cuts in surprise White House appearance

The tech billionaire was questioned by reporters on what Democrats have called a "hostile takeover" of government.
BBC News - 23h
Federal judge pauses NIH research cuts nationwide

A federal judge in Boston has ordered a temporary pause nationwide on plans by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to substantially reduce "indirect” research payments to universities, medical ...
The Hill - 1d
Federal employees deserve respect — not Elon Musk

In the name of “efficiency,” the Trump administration is waging a cruel war on federal employees, who now live in chaos and fear.
The Hill - 1d
As Musk cuts federal spending, his own firms have received billions in contracts

As Elon Musk has led an effort to slash government spending, his own companies have, over the last few years, received billions of dollars in government contracts.
ABC News - 1d
A quick way to cut $1 trillion in federal spending

President Trump suggests that state governments should have primary responsibility for handling disasters, and cutting federal taxes would allow states to access more money to address their needs.
The Hill - 1d
Federal judge grants restraining order on NIH funding cuts

A federal judge in Massachusetts has granted a restraining order against the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its recent research funding cut after 22 states filed a lawsuit to block the ...
The Hill - 1d
Elon Musk’s assault on the US federal bureaucracy

Supposed efficiency drive is providing cover for a power grab by the executive branch
Financial Times - 2d
What to know about Elon Musk's DOGE and its latest impact on federal agencies

Katie Drummond, the global editorial director at Wired, joins "CBS Mornings Plus" to explain what to know about the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which is run by Elon Musk, its ...
CBS News - 2d
Musk doubles down on attacks on federal judges

Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leader Elon Musk is doubling down on his attacks of federal judges in the wake of court actions blocking multiple Trump administration efforts. In a ...
The Hill - 2d
Legal experts warn of 'constitutional crisis' as JD Vance and Elon Musk question judges' authority over Trump

Legal and constitutional experts warned Sunday that the United States could be headed toward a "constitutional crisis" or a "breakdown of the system" after Vice President JD Vance suggested judges ...
NBC News - 2d
How Elon Musk is using tech to DOGE the government

Elon Musk is using his tech and leadership playbook in a crusade against the federal bureaucracy as he and his allies attempt to gain access to sensitive information and use emerging tech to speed ...
The Hill - 3d
Jordan defends DOGE, Musk influence under Trump

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a close ally of President Trump’s, defended tech billionaire Elon Musk’s efforts to reshape the government through the inaugural Department of Government Efficiency ...
The Hill - 3d
Trump faces pushback as he works to reshape federal government

Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker joins Joe Fryer on Sunday TODAY to discuss the two dozen lawsuits against President Donald Trump that are aimed at slowing down his attempts to reshape the ...
NBC News - 3d
Federal judge blocks Elon Musk’s access to US Treasury data

Order follows legal challenge by 19 Democratic state attorneys-general over risk to sensitive information
Financial Times - 3d
Judges block Musk's efforts to slash federal spending

Federal judges block President Trump and Elon Musk's attempts to slash spending and reshape the federal workforce. NBC News' Aaron Gilchrist reports.
NBC News - 3d
Elon Musk Brings His Playbook From Twitter to the Government

Ryan Mac and Kate Conger, two New York Times technology reporters who together wrote a book about what happened when Elon Musk bought Twitter, explain some of his tactics.
The New York Times - 4d
Who is helping Elon Musk gut the US government?

The billionaire’s cost-cutting ‘Doge’ staff includes wealthy executives, far-right ideologues and young engineers. Elon Musk’s rapid attempt to defund and depopulate the federal government has ...
The Guardian - 4d
What does Elon Musk believe?

The man given free rein by Trump to crusade against the federal government supported Democrats until 2022. But some of Musk’s longstanding positions lead a straight line to his far-right ...
The Guardian - 4d
Democrats Take Aim at Elon Musk

It’s the first sign of unified opposition for a rudderless and leaderless Democratic Party.
The New York Times - 4d
Trump says Elon Musk and DOGE will review "just about" every federal agency

President Trump said nearly every federal agency in the U.S. government could fall under the scrutiny of Elon Musk and the White House's Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE. CBS News ...
CBS News - 4d
Inside Elon Musk's government takeover

A tech-focused media outlet has become a premiere source for breaking news on Elon Musk, his inner circle and their efforts to reshape the federal government. Katie Drummond, global editorial ...
CBS News - 4d
Small Businesses and Contractors Also Get Hit by Trump’s Federal Funding Cuts

Reports suggest several thousand private sector jobs have been lost in the last two weeks, as federal funding freezes start having knock-on effects.
Inc. - 5d
Can anyone stop Elon Musk’s hostile takeover of the US government?

The billionaire’s aggressive efficiency drive has critics warning of a constitutional crisis. Allies say he’s just getting started
Financial Times - 5d
Elon Musk’s journey from climate champion to backing EV-bashing Trump

Musk believes Tesla’s rivals are more vulnerable to Trump’s moves against electric vehicles. Donald Trump ’s attempts to slash incentives for electric cars would cause sales of the vehicles to ...
The Guardian - 5d
Elon Musk vs The US Government

Musk says "it's now or never" for his revolution
BBC News - 5d
Trump promotes misleading claims about federal government’s media subscriptions

Federal government payments for subscriptions to media outlets have become the latest target of President Donald Trump's spending hawks
ABC News - 5d
Judge temporarily blocks Trump's federal government employee buyout

Just hours before the deadline for federal employees to accept the Trump administration's deferred resignation offer, a judge has temporarily blocked the buyout offer.
ABC News - 5d
Why Does Elon Musk Think He Can Treat the U.S. Government Like Twitter?

My latest five-whys looks at Musk’s motivations.
Inc. - 6d
Inside the Elon Musk-Jim Jordan ‘mind meld’ shaking up Capitol Hill

Musk has a White House office and growing pull across federal agencies. Now he's burrowed into the House Judiciary Committee.
Politico - Feb. 5

More in Politics

Trump's labor nominee once worked at Planned Parenthood, risking further GOP ire

Labor secretary nominee former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer listed on her questionnaire for a Senate committee that she worked at a Planned Parenthood clinic when she was in her early 20s.
NBC News - 11m
Lawyer for Vince McMahon says criminal probe 'definitively concluded' with no charges

A lawyer for Vince McMahon said Wednesday that Manhattan federal prosecutors have dropped their criminal probe into whether the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) co-founder attempted to cover up ...
The Hill - 21m
Evening Report — House, Senate GOP duel over budget path

Presented by March of Dimes — The race is on between Republican leaders in the House and Senate to see who can be first to create a budget with the greatest likelihood of passing President Trump’s ...
The Hill - 22m
House Commerce chair launches data privacy working group

House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) on Wednesday announced the creation of a data privacy working group as policymakers work toward a national privacy standard. “We ...
The Hill - 30m
Education Department launches Title IX probes over trans athlete policies

The Department of Education announced on Wednesday it is investigating two state athletic associations that say they will not abide by the Trump administration's Title IX rules that forbid ...
The Hill - 34m