The Cuban-American congresswoman María Elvira Salazar came to the defense of businessman Elon Musk, whose authority was limited by President Donald Trump following the backlash and criticisms of the cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Musk.
In an interview with Fox, Salazar emphasized that the United States Congress has, for decades, "failed to fulfill its oversight duties." In her view, however, DOGE has done this under the guidance of Elon Musk, who might be "enjoying his money," but instead works for the United States, as the congresswoman defended.
"Every dollar spent must demonstrate that (Congress) is making the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous," she stated.
According to what was shared on social media, the federal government spends two billion dollars a year, and Elon Musk and DOGE are identifying the millions that have been used on "unnecessary expenses".
"Musk is doing what should have been done decades ago. Let's reduce waste, fraud, and abuse and strengthen the economy and the country!" the congresswoman stated.
His statements come after Musk appeared on Tuesday before the United States Congress.
There, in a joint session of the Legislative Power, Trump praised him and stated that the magnate would put an end to "the blatant waste of taxpayers' money."
The U.S. leader rated Musk's work as "very good" and listed the series of federal programs in which money would have been "wasted."
However, this Friday Donald Trump announced that decisions regarding workforce cuts in the federal government will be made by the secretaries of his cabinet and not by Elon Musk or DOGE.
On his social media platform Truth Social, he stated that, while his administration will continue to work with Musk and DOGE on reducing expenses and workforce, the leaders of each department will have the final say on which employees will remain in their positions.
"We just had a meeting with most of the secretaries, Elon, and others, and it was very positive," he wrote. "It is very important that we reduce the levels to where they should be, but it is also important to keep the best and most productive people."
The cuts made by DOGE have been followed by a wave of criticism within Trump's cabinet, along with labor demands and concern among Republican lawmakers, who have faced backlash from voters in their districts.
Although Trump has restricted Musk's authority over layoffs, he clarified that the department led by the magnate will continue to intervene if officials do not make sufficient cuts.
Frequently asked questions about María Elvira Salazar's defense of Elon Musk and the role of DOGE
Why does María Elvira Salazar defend Elon Musk?
María Elvira Salazar defends Elon Musk because she believes that, under his leadership in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), unnecessary expenses in the United States government have been identified and reduced. The congresswoman thinks that Musk is doing what Congress has failed to achieve for decades, which is to cut waste and strengthen the country's economy.
What changes has Elon Musk implemented through DOGE?
Elon Musk, at the helm of DOGE, has implemented significant cuts in public spending, eliminating contracts deemed unnecessary and reducing bureaucracy across various government agencies. He has pushed for measures that require federal employees to justify their work and has eliminated superfluous expenses in areas such as the Department of Education.
How has the Trump administration reacted to Elon Musk's actions?
The Trump administration has had an ambivalent reaction to Elon Musk's actions. While Trump has praised Musk's efforts to reduce government spending, he has recently limited his authority by deciding that the secretaries of his cabinet, and not Musk, will have the final say on personnel cuts. Nevertheless, Trump continues to support Musk's overall vision for government efficiency.
What impact has the DOGE cuts had on the labor market?
The cuts from the DOGE have had a significant impact on the labor sector, resulting in the layoffs of thousands of federal employees and raising concerns among workers and unions. These measures have been subject to criticism and labor lawsuits, as they are seen as aggressive and lacking transparency.
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