Trump reveals DOGE's next major target
President Donald Trump revealed Friday he is so pleased with the work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that he is asking Elon Musk to investigate all other agencies for waste and fraud.
'I've instructed him to go check out Education, to check out the Pentagon, which is the military. And sadly you'll find some things that are pretty bad,' Trump said during a press conference at the White House on Friday.
He added: 'Pentagon, Education, just about everything. We’re going to go through everything.'
The Pentagon has failed seven audits in a row, as it has been unable to account for billions in public spending.
Trump has also endorsed the idea of shutting down the Department of Education.
The Musk-led effort to root out government waste has stricken fear into government employees and angered Democrats for its draconian cuts to federal funding programs.
Trump also backed Vice President JD Vance's call for the government to bring back DOGE employee Marko Elez, a 25-year-old software engineer, who resigned after controversial racial posts on social media resurfaced.
'I'm with the vice president,' Trump said, after Vance confirmed that he had endorsed the idea.
Vance voiced his support for Elez on social media on Friday afternoon.
President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba
U.S. President Donald Trump greets Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk during a political rally
'Here's my view: I obviously disagree with some of Elez's posts, but I don't think stupid social media activity should ruin a kid's life,' he wrote.
Vance indicated that Elez was the victim of an effort to smear Musk's effort to cut government waste.
'We shouldn't reward journalists who try to destroy people. Ever. So I say bring him back. If he's a bad dude or a terrible member of the team, fire him for that,' he wrote.
Trump was also asked Friday to react to a TIME magazine cover that featured Musk behind the president's desk, suggesting he was taking over the top job.
'Elon is doing a great job. He's finding tremendous fraud and corruption and waste,' Trump replied, pointing to the work the billionaire has done collapsing USAID. 'He's got a staff that's fantastic. He's wanted to do this for a long time.'
Trump was also asked about Musk's declaration on Friday that he loved the president 'as much as a straight man can love another man.'
'What does the First Lady think about that?' asked Fox News reporter Peter Doocy.
'Oh, I think she'll be okay with it somehow,' Trump replied.
A worker removes the U.S. Agency for International Development sign on their headquarters on February 07, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Kristina Dryer (L), a two-year employee for USAID, wipes away tears after a worker removed the U.S. Agency for International Development sign on their headquarters
The U.S. Agency for International Development building is seen after workers removed its sign at their headquarters
Musk's Department of Government efficiency ordered the USAID relief agency to be shut down by Friday.
Federal workers were spotted Friday afternoon removing the letters of the agency building where protesters gathered earlier in the week.
The DOGE social media account celebrated the event, sharing images of the building with the letters removed.
'Unburdened by what has been,' the message read, a reference to a favorite saying of former Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
