House Democrat: DOGE concept ‘unconstitutional and illegal’

Ashleigh Fields

December 5, 2024 at 12:28 p.m.·1 min read

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) scoffed at the proposed “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) co-led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, labeling the agency “unconstitutional and illegal” during a Thursday appearance on “CNN Newsroom.”

“You know, they haven’t asked to meet with me, but the impoundment of funds that have been appropriated by the Congress is unconstitutional and illegal,” Lofgren, a former lawyer, told anchor Jim Acosta in the clip highlighted by Mediaite.

“There is no such ‘Department of Government Efficiency.’ It’s made up. So good luck to ’em,” she added.

Her comments were made hours before Ramaswamy and Musk are set to join House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) at the Capitol for meetings with Republican House members.

DOGE was created with the objective to “slash wasteful spending” and help restructure the government. However, Lofgren said President-elect Trump’s plans have to go through Congress before being affirmed under the law.

“If there is a plan President Trump wants to propose to the Congress, he should send it to us, but the Constitution does not permit the president to simply avoid what the Congress has done — that power of the purse is with the legislative branch, not the president,” she stated.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.

GOBankingRates
4 Things the Middle Class Likely Won’t Be Able To Afford Once Trump Takes Office
President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office for a second time on Jan. 20, and big changes are expected due to his proposed policies. While he has promised the country a shift in the economy, it...
BuzzFeed
"Barack Can’t Convince His Wife She Has To Do Her Duty?": The Internet Is Firing Back After A Fox News Host Questioned Why Michelle Obama Won't Attend Trump's Inauguration
"Michelle Obama doesn't have to do a thing except remain true to Michelle Obama."
The Canadian Press
Trump won't wait to review CUSMA trade pact, experts say
WASHINGTON — U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's pledge to hit Canada and Mexico with 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs has sent shockwaves through America's closest neighbours — but it's likely just a first step in his plan to rattle a critical trilateral trade pact.
HuffPost
Trump's New Official Portrait Tells Quite The Story. Body Language Experts Explain Why.
The president-elect's new eyebrow-raising photo spurred a lot of conversations online. Experts think his expression and pose reveal a lot.
The Daily Beast
CNN Plots to Bury the Anchor Trump Hates Most
CNN is considering a substantial demotion for one of its highest-rating stars—who also happens to be a longtime antagonist of President-elect Donald Trump. CNN chief Mark Thompson called Jim Acosta on Wednesday to propose that his show, CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta, be moved from its 10 a.m. ET time slot to midnight, according to the newsletter Status News. “The move would effectively exile Acosta to the Siberia of television news,” media reporter Oliver Darcy pointed out.
USA TODAY Opinion
Senate Republicans embarrass themselves (and America) at confirmation hearings | Opinion
If you haven't been paying attention as Donald Trump's Cabinet picks sat through Senate confirmation hearings this week, good for you.
The Canadian Press
Commerce Secretary Raimondo offers a parting shot at Trump and advice for Democrats' future
WASHINGTON (AP) — When Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo looks at Donald Trump, she says she sees a president-elect who for all of his aggressive talk is afraid to let America compete with the rest of the world, responding instead with tariffs and curtailing immigration.
The Daily Beast
Rumors Swirl About Who Bailed Rudy Giuliani Out at the 11th Hour
There’s a bit of a mystery surrounding who may have offered the financial backing for Rudy Giuliani to settle with a pair of 2020 election workers from Georgia that he repeatedly defamed. Under the agreement, Donald Trump’s former personal attorney gets to keep his New York and Florida apartments, as well as other valuables, in exchange for a payment to Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss. The amount of the payment, and its source, is undisclosed. Giuliani was ordered in December 2023 to p
The Canadian Press
Mark Carney launches leadership bid, comes out swinging against Pierre Poilievre
OTTAWA — Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney officially kicked off his bid to replace Justin Trudeau on Thursday by launching barbs at Pierre Poilievre and describing the Conservative leader as a dangerous, sloganeering populist.
CBC
How Albertans feel about premier's approach to Team Canada tariff threat response | Canada Tonight
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith refused to sign a joint statement of unity from the federal government and Canada’s premiers against U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose punishing tariffs on Canadian goods. Former Alberta politician Gary Mar says Smith’s reluctance to sign onto the agreement is in part because of the ‘disproportionate impact’ it may have on Alberta.
HuffPost
Mel Gibson Has ‘Surprised’ Response To His New Donald Trump Gig
The "Braveheart" star is a longtime backer of the president-elect.
RFI
African troops 'forced to Ukraine frontlines' while Russians stay in camp
A large number of Africans have joined the Russian army since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While some have voluntarily taken up arms via private companies under contract with the Kremlin, others were lured by false promises. One Cameroonian, who thought he was going to Russia to work as a caretaker, reveals the extent of this human trafficking. "Tomorrow, they want us to go on a suicide mission. I'm going to drop the gun so I don't have to go. I'll probably be tortured and sent to p
The Daily Beast
Trump’s EPA Pick Flunks Basic Science Quiz at Confirmation Hearing
Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency struggled to answer straightforward questions about science. At his confirmation hearing on Thursday, former Rep. Lee Zeldin faced scrutiny of his limited environmental experience. For one senator, Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse, this took the form of a science pop quiz—asking, in his words, “really basic no-tricks questions about climate change.” Whitehouse started off with a softball: “First, as a matter of law, is carbon dioxide a p
CNN
House conservative defies Johnson over remote voting for new moms in Congress
GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna repeatedly tried to convince Speaker Mike Johnson that he — as a pro-family champion — should back her push to allow new mothers to vote remotely for six weeks while they are recovering from birth.
CBC
More than 10,000 Toronto seniors missing out on old age benefits: report
More than 10,000 low-income Torontonians are not accessing the Old Age Security (OAS) benefits they're entitled to, according to new research by Wellesley Institute and Open Policy Ontario.The Unclaimed Benefits report further shows that certain groups, including racialized individuals and those with limited proficiency in English or French, are the most likely to be missing out. "Most people think of OAS as a very simple program. You turn 65 and you apply and as long as you've been in Canada fo
CBC
Police handcuff and fine son for visiting mom in LTC home, after breaking 'unlawful' ban
After more than a year of being forced to stay away from his mother's long-term care home in Windsor, Paul Ziman broke the ban imposed upon him by Village at St. Clair to see his mom for the holidays — leading to his arrest and heightening calls from advocates for police forces to be properly trained in cases like these.There were multiple visits that took place over the course of a few days. On Christmas Eve, according to Ziman, police were called but did not force him to leave.But on Boxing Da
CBC
How will the Trump tariffs affect U.S. towns depending on B.C. shoppers?
Many Canadians are concerned about how the second term of the incoming Trump administration will affect businesses in this country. But businesses and politicians just south of the border are having similar worries. Liam Britten has more on their concerns.
The Canadian Press
Key moments from Kristi Noem's hearing for Homeland Security chief
WASHINGTON (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Donald Trump's pick to lead the agency central to his vision of cracking down on illegal immigration, faced senators Friday at a confirmation hearing and promised to be a tough hand in carrying out the president's vision for the sprawling Department of Homeland Security.
WWD
History of Mar-a-Lago: How It Transformed From Post Cereals Heiress’ Estate to Donald Trump’s Members-only Club
A closer look at exactly what Mar-a-Lago offers and how it became the club it is today.
The Daily Beast
Rachel Maddow Warns Trump 2.0 Mass Deportations ‘Playing With Fire’
Star MSNBC political pundit Rachel Maddow issued a scathing rebuke ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration, warning that his second term would test “what our values are” as a nation. Speaking with her network colleague Alex Wagner on Friday night, Maddow said Trump’s ‘Day One’ promises of mass deportations, ending birthright citizenship, and pardoning his Capitol rioters illustrated how his administration would continue to test the foundations of American values. “I think th

Latest Stories