Rep. John Larson's Outburst Targets Elon Musk and DOGE in House Committee
During a heated House Ways and Means Committee session, Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) launched a fierce critique against Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
On March 12, 2025, tensions flared at a House Ways and Means Committee markup where Rep. John Larson accused his Republican colleagues of blindly following the directives of Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump. The session, focused on bills concerning DOGE’s access to federal payment systems, saw Larson vocally expressing his frustration over what he perceives as a lack of independence within the committee.
Larson’s tirade was sparked by recent comments made by Musk on the inefficiency and fraud within federal entitlement programs, particularly Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Musk, who serves as a White House senior advisor, has been vocal about his plans to combat these issues, which he claims account for a significant portion of federal spending. His remarks about the potential privatization of these programs have drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, including Larson, who fears such actions could jeopardize essential services for millions of Americans.
The White House has defended Musk’s initiatives, emphasizing the need to reduce waste and fraud within government programs. However, Larson argued during the committee meeting that Musk’s absence from the session was telling, suggesting that the tech mogul’s influence was being used to push a privatization agenda behind closed doors.
Further escalating the situation, Larson accused the Trump administration of perpetuating myths about Democratic policies on immigration and entitlement benefits. He refuted claims that Democrats were using these programs to attract and retain illegal immigrants, calling such assertions baseless and part of a larger ‘big lie’ narrative.
In response, the White House criticized Democrats for their reaction, asserting that the focus should be on improving efficiency and accountability within government spending rather than engaging in political theatrics. The administration reiterated its commitment to protecting Social Security and Medicare, despite Musk’s controversial statements regarding these programs.
As the debate continues, Democrats on the committee, led by Larson, have introduced a resolution demanding more transparency from the Trump administration on DOGE’s plans concerning Social Security. However, Larson claimed that Republican members were obstructing the resolution from reaching a vote, further fueling the partisan divide.
This latest episode underscores the ongoing clash between efforts to reform government spending and the protection of social welfare programs, with high-profile figures like Elon Musk at the center of the controversy.