Students express mixed reactions on budget reform
President Donald Trump promptly enacted change on the first day of his second term by signing over 20 executive orders. One such order outlined the measures for establishing “the Department of Government Efficiency to implement the President’s DOGE Agenda, by modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.”
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, boasts already saving 55 billion dollars in government spending after about one month of work. Cuts thus far have primarily focused on USAID, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health and Human Services. The federal government spent 6.75 trillion dollars in the 2024 fiscal year and the national debt sits at 36.22 trillion dollars.
Despite full transparency in its actions with all records available on its official website, DOGE has faced fierce scrutiny and opposition for the massive cuts it has made to federal programs. However, Musk has also acknowledged that “[DOGE is] moving fast, so we will make mistakes, but we’ll also fix the mistakes very quickly.”
Among the supporters of DOGE’s recent efforts is Notre Dame alum Rep. Pat Fallon, Texas Republican. Fallon, in a hearing with the House Oversight Committee, staunchly defended the actions of DOGE saying it “doesn’t stand for oligarch … billionaire … unelected billionaire … Project 2025, or … Elon Musk.” To his anti-DOGE constituents, he asked, “Who in their right mind would oppose our federal government operating with more efficiency?”
Fallon clarified that although he thinks some federal workers do a “fabulous job” and some agencies provide “critical services for Americans,” not all of them do. He reiterated the necessity to “trim the excess … eliminate waste, expose the abuse, and streamline efficiency” in the federal government’s spending and operation.
Concerning spending cuts in the Department of Education, Fallon cited math and reading proficiency levels for students from 1979 (when it was founded) to the current day as stagnant. Fallon said, “The spending per pupil on education was 9,615 dollars in 1979 and is now just under 20,000.” Despite spending “double the money … it’s not reaching classroom performance.” Recommending policy instead of allocating billions for the department, Fallon said that “block grants would be a far better way rather than spending 79 billion dollars on a Department of Education at a federal level.”
Another Notre Dame alum, Rep. Brendan Boyle, Pennsylvania Democrat, the Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, said DOGE’s actions were “very disturbing,” specifically citing the orders to many employees of USAID and the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau to “not report to work or cease what they are doing.” Boyle simply called the actions “autocratic.”
Boyle pointed to the fact that bills need to be passed through the legislative branch like how Democrats did in 2021 when they controlled both chambers of Congress and the White House similar to how Republicans do now. He criticized Trump for ignoring “the Constitution and [grabbing] power to put … unelected people into agencies [where they are] getting into the back end computer system.” Boyle continued to emphasize privacy concerns as a matter being overlooked with the power DOGE wields.
Boyle clarified that “in theory, government efficiency is … right up [his] alley, but in practice, that’s not at all what has happened. It is about a unilateral power grab.”
Notre Dame students felt similarly divided. One sophomore from Dillon Hall said to the Rover, “As a Trump supporter, I’m a little shocked. It appears reckless. DOGE works towards a goal I agree with, but the methods are unreliable and can potentially cause long-term problems.” He followed up saying, “It’s poor execution of a good idea. We want to cut down on unnecessary spending but cutting medical funding isn’t the way to do it.”
Another sophomore from Dillon Hall expressed more support for DOGE’s activity saying, “Trump made big promises, unlike many other candidates. He is consistent, came out the door swinging, and did what he campaigned on. He isn’t backing down despite overwhelming opposition and he is putting America first rather than sending money abroad.”
Time will tell if Musk will make good on rectifying some mistaken cuts and if Trump will act on the idea of DOGE stimulus checks. In the meantime, Musk and DOGE look to continue their plan of massive spending cuts.
Ella Yates is a sophomore studying philosophy, political science, and theology from Western Springs, Illinois. She is currently in the process of creating the Apple Music playlist that she will listen to for at least half of 2025. Anyone with song recommendations should email her at eyates4@nd.edu.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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