Washington, D.C. is about to be turned upside down. Trump’s inauguration will change everything.
And now Congress has just received a very important but unexpected letter in the mail.
Republican Governors Express Overwhelming Support for Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency”
A group of Republican governors has voiced strong support for President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), calling it a critical step toward streamlining government and balancing the federal budget. In a letter addressed to Congressional leaders and shared exclusively with Fox News on Friday, the governors emphasized the importance of government efficiency and fiscal responsibility, stating their full backing for the new initiative.
“As chief executives for our states, we know a thing or two about streamlining government, removing unnecessary bureaucracy, and bringing efficient, result-driven solutions to state government. We stand by President Trump as he works to do the same with the federal government,” the governors wrote in the letter.
The DOGE, an ambitious project aimed at eliminating inefficiency in the federal bureaucracy, was one of Trump’s key proposals after his presidential election victory in November. He appointed two prominent figures to lead the department: Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest person, and Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Republican presidential candidate and entrepreneur. The selection of these high-profile individuals underscores the boldness of the initiative, aiming to overhaul the federal government’s structure and spending habits.
To ensure oversight and collaboration, both the House of Representatives and the Senate have taken steps to support the department. The House has established a subcommittee to oversee DOGE, while the Senate has created a special caucus to work alongside Musk and Ramaswamy in their efforts to improve government efficiency.
In their letter, the governors highlighted the successful approach to governance practiced in many Republican-led states. They stressed the importance of living within means and operating within a balanced budget. “Our states are successful because we live within our means. We balance our budgets, lower taxes, leverage 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 family, and their community,” the letter stated.
The governors further emphasized the need for similar fiscal discipline at the federal level, saying, “It is past time for Washington to live within its means too. We support President Trump’s appointment of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy and agree with their assertion that the federal government needs to be cut down to size. We stand ready to help.”
The letter, led by Governor Henry McMaster of South Carolina, the policy chair of the Republican Governors Association (RGA), was signed by 26 additional GOP governors. Notable signatories included RGA chair Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia, along with Governors Kay Ivey of Alabama, Mike Dunleavy of Alaska, Sarah Sanders of Arkansas, Ron DeSantis of Florida, and Greg Abbott of Texas, among others. A full list of the signatories is as follows, according to Fox News:
Kay Ivey (AL), Mike Dunleavy (AK), Sarah Sanders (AR), Ron DeSantis (FL), Brad Little (ID), Eric Holcomb (IN), Kim Reynolds (IA), Jeff Landry (LA), Tate Reeves (MS), Mike Parson (MO), Greg Gianforte (MT), Jim Pillen (NE), Joe Lombardo (NV), Kelly Ayotte (NH), Kelly Armstrong (ND), Mike DeWine (OH), Kevin Stitt (OK), Kristi Noem (SD), Bill Lee (TN), Greg Abbott (TX), Spencer Cox (UT), Glenn Youngkin (VA), Jim Justice (WV), Mark Gordon (WY).
Notably, the only governor who did not sign the letter was Governor Phil Scott of Vermont. A member of the RGA, Scott has traditionally refrained from attaching his name to many of the association’s formal letters, signaling his more moderate stance within the group.
The letter was delivered shortly after a significant meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, where many of the signatory governors dined with the president-elect. The meeting was a part of the growing alignment between state leaders and the incoming administration as they seek to implement bold new policies to rein in federal spending and improve the efficiency of government.
The launch of DOGE marks a key initiative aimed at reducing governmental waste and fostering a more streamlined, cost-effective federal structure. With the backing of numerous Republican governors and oversight from both chambers of Congress, the success of this project will be closely watched in the months and years to come.
The Federalist Wire’s reporters will update you on any major Trump transition news as the second administration begins this month.
