Karoline Leavitt Reacts to Democratic Opposition Over DOGE

Democrats and Federal Employees Protest DOGE’s Budget Cuts, Leavitt Responds

Several Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), have joined federal employees in protesting DOGE’s budget-cutting initiatives. Critics argue that these efforts, which include reductions in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and investigations into potential Social Security fraud, could have significant consequences. Some Democrats have referred to the initiative as a "constitutional crisis," as courts review the legal implications of DOGE’s actions.

DOGE, on the other hand, asserts that its measures have already resulted in significant taxpayer savings by eliminating unnecessary expenditures. Among its efforts, DOGE is investigating allegations of Social Security payments being sent to deceased individuals.

Karoline Leavitt, the current White House Press Secretary, responded to the protests by sharing a video on social media platform X, featuring former President Barack Obama and current President Joe Biden discussing government spending reforms. The White House / YouTube

Leavitt Uses Obama Clip to Defend DOGE Budget Cuts

"To all of the Democrats who are planning to protest this week, here’s an explanation on DOGE, from your party’s own beloved leaders!" Leavitt wrote.

The video showcases Obama’s statement that “Budget reform is not an option, it’s a necessity,” stressing the need to eliminate government programs that no longer serve a clear purpose. Another clip features Obama stating, “We are going to go through our federal budget as I promised during the campaign, page by page, line by line, eliminating those programs we don’t need and insisting that those that we do need operate in a sensible, cost-effective way.” @PressSec / X

Report Questions Obama’s Budget-Cutting Promises Amid $5 Trillion in New Costs

Despite these remarks, a report from the Manhattan Institute found that Obama’s administration signed off on $5 trillion in new legislative costs and increased the federal debt by $4.6 trillion, raising questions about the effectiveness of past budget-cutting promises.

Biden in Video: Calls for Transparency and a ‘New Culture’ in Government Spending

The video also includes Biden saying, "The American people are entitled to transparency… and accountability to make sure that we're using the dollars for what we said it was for." Biden further stated that he and Obama hoped to establish a "new culture" in government spending for future administrations to follow. Office of the President of the United States / Wikimedia

Debate Over DOGE Budget Cuts Intensifies

Leavitt and DOGE supporters argue that current Democratic opposition to budget reform contrasts with the positions that past Democratic leaders endorsed. However, opponents of DOGE’s measures contend that cutting programs without careful evaluation could have unintended consequences.

As the debate over government spending continues, DOGE appears to remain focused on reducing expenditures, while Democratic lawmakers emphasize the need to ensure that cuts do not negatively impact essential programs. Tumisu / Pixabay