• House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday defended efforts by Elon Musk to cut government spending.
• Johnson said Republicans would "vigorously defend" Congress' role in government.
• He said the effort by Musk's DOGE to probe spending was a "long overdue" development.

House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed strong support for Elon Musk's leadership within the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, arguing that initiatives aimed at scrutinizing government spending are entirely justified and well within the executive branch's authority. During a press briefing on Wednesday, Johnson remarked, "There's a reason the founding fathers prioritized Congress in the Constitution, and we will vigorously defend that role. However, the current media response to Musk's actions is a gross overreaction. The executive branch has the right to evaluate its own agencies’ operations and to review spending practices."

Johnson noted that the creation of DOGE and its operations out of the White House under President Donald Trump are part of a welcome push for accountability, aimed at safeguarding American taxpayer dollars while addressing concerns over "unelected bureaucrats" wielding excessive power. Reflecting on Musk's approach, Johnson affirmed that internal audits and the halting of certain agency functions represent a much-needed shift toward effective management of public funds. He insisted that this endeavor does not threaten Article I of the Constitution; rather, it serves as an example of an actively engaged executive branch fulfilling its proper role. This perspective comes amid considerable opposition, as Congressional Democrats held a rally to challenge Musk's efforts to restructure key departments, including the Department of Education and USAID.