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Historically, the federal government has often escaped accountability, even when programs fail spectacularly. That, however, may change under the leadership of Musk and Ramaswamy. Their plan, detailed in a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, outlines a comprehensive strategy to slash unnecessary regulations and overhaul bureaucratic structures.
“In West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency (2022), the justices held that agencies can’t impose regulations dealing with major economic or policy questions unless Congress specifically authorizes them to do so. In Loper Bright v. Raimondo (2024), the court overturned the Chevron doctrine and held that federal courts should no longer defer to federal agencies’ interpretations of the law or their own rulemaking authority,” they wrote.
These rulings, which many credit to appointments made during Donald Trump’s first term as president, have set the stage for DOGE to challenge entrenched bureaucratic systems.
One of the critical roadblocks to federal reform has been the Chevron doctrine, which allowed federal regulators broad discretion to interpret unclear laws. This legal precedent effectively expanded the power of unelected bureaucrats, enabling them to enforce regulations that critics say went far beyond congressional intent.
With the Supreme Court now rolling back this doctrine, DOGE plans to audit government agencies and identify regulations that exceed their legal scope. Their findings will be presented to President Trump, who can use executive authority to pause these regulations and begin the process of rescinding them.
“This would liberate individuals and businesses from illicit regulations never passed by Congress and stimulate the U.S. economy,” Musk and Ramaswamy explained in their op-ed.
Once regulations are eliminated, the departments tasked with enforcing them will naturally shrink. DOGE has made it clear that reducing federal employment will be a significant part of the reform process.
“The number of federal employees to cut should be at least proportionate to the number of federal regulations that are nullified: Not only are fewer employees required to enforce fewer regulations, but the agency would produce fewer regulations once its scope of authority is properly limited,” the businessmen stated.
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Moreover, DOGE proposes ending work-from-home policies that many federal employees have continued to enjoy since the COVID-19 pandemic. “Requiring federal employees to come to the office five days a week would result in a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome,” Musk and Ramaswamy wrote.
A final pillar of DOGE’s plan is addressing federal spending not explicitly authorized by Congress. Estimates suggest that approximately $500 billion in annual expenditures fall into this category. Programs like Corporation for Public Broadcasting grants and Planned Parenthood funding were highlighted as examples of spending that could be easily rolled back.
By targeting these expenditures, Musk and Ramaswamy hope to dramatically reduce the federal budget and promote fiscal responsibility.
For the first time in decades, the federal government may be poised to shrink. If successful, DOGE’s reforms could usher in a new era of economic freedom and reduced bureaucracy for American citizens. With Musk and Ramaswamy at the helm, conservatives have reason to believe that the dream of limited government might finally become a reality.
