EXCLUSIVE: The nation’s Republican governors are making clear their “overwhelming support.” That of President-elect Trump planned “Department of Government Efficiency”, better known by its abbreviation DOGE.
In a letter to congressional leaders first shared with Fox News on Friday: said the governors they fully support DOGE and emphasized the importance of balancing the federal budget.
“As our states’ top executives, we know a thing or two about streamlining government, removing unnecessary bureaucracy and bringing efficient, results-oriented solutions to state government. We stand with President Trump as he works to do the same with the federal government,” the governors said.
AMERICA’S NEWEST GOVERNOR TAKES TRUMP’S PAGE BY SETTING UP A DOGE-LIKE COMMISSION
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, co-chair of the newly announced Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), arrives on Capitol Hill with his son on December 5, 2024 in Washington, DC. Musk and his co-chairman, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, met with lawmakers today about DOGE, a planned presidential advisory commission aimed at cutting government spending and increasing the efficiency of the federal workforce. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (Anna Geldmaker)
Days after his victory in the presidential election in November, Trump tapped Elon Muskthe richest person in the world, and former Republican presidential candidate and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to helm DOGE.
The House of Representatives has established an oversight subcommittee and the Senate has formed a DOGE caucus to work with Musk and Ramaswamy.
QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT DOGE WILL BE ANSWERED HERE
The governors emphasized that “our states are successful because we live within our means. We balance our budgets, cut taxes, tap surpluses, pay down debt, improve the efficiency of state governments and create an environment where our constituents can build a prosperous future. for themselves, their families and their communities.”
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are leading efforts to reduce government inefficiency. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
And they emphasized that “it is also high time that Washington continues to live within its means. We support President Trump’s nomination of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy and agree with their assertion that the federal government should be downsized. We are ready to help.”
Led by the Republican Governors Association (RGA) policy chairman Governor Henry McMaster of South Carolina, the letter was also signed by RGA chairman Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia and 24 other GOP governors.
President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Republican governors at Mar-a-Lago, Thursday, January 9, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida, as Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and the South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, listening. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
They are governments. Kay Ivey of Alabama, Mike Dunleavy of Alaska, Sarah Sanders of Arkansas, Ron DeSantis of Florida, Brad Little of Idaho, Eric Holcomb of Indiana, Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Jeff Landry of Louisiana, Tate Reeves of Mississippi, Mike Parson of Missouri, Greg Gianforte of Montana, Jim Pillen of Nebraska, Joe Lombardo of Nevada, Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota, Mike DeWine of Ohio, Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, Kristi Noem of South Dakota, Bill Lee of Tennessee, Greg Abbott of Texas, Spencer Cox of Utah, Glenn Youngkin of Virginia, Jim Justice of West Virginia and Mark Gordon of Wyoming.
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The only one of the 27 Republican governors who did not sign the letter was Governor Phil Scott of Vermont. Although Scott is a long-time member of the RGA, he has not attached his name to many of their letters in the past.
The letter was sent the day after many of the Republican governors had dinner with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.
