Trump’s newly appointed leaders of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have entered the fray against a proposed continuing resolution (CR) intended to prevent a government shutdown ahead of the former president’s return to office. Republican lawmakers are ramping up public criticism of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) in the weeks leading up to January, all while the House Ethics Committee prepares to release its findings on former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s investigation.
Earlier this week, Trump appeared to be enjoying a brief political honeymoon. His transition efforts were polling well, opposition from the “Resistance” seemed to have waned, and Johnson’s position as Speaker appeared stable. Even controversies surrounding Trump’s Cabinet nominees seemed to be settling, as Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth went on the offensive, and Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sought to allay concerns of social conservatives.
But unity was disrupted Wednesday when a 1,547-page spending bill—including controversial provisions like a congressional pay raise—sparked sharp opposition. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, leading DOGE’s charge to reduce government waste, weighed in decisively against the measure.
“Absolutely, this bill should NOT pass,” Musk posted on X. “A new bill that isn’t an insane crime against the American people should be done in 33 days.” That figure coincides with the time remaining until Trump’s inauguration.
Musk further declared, “Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!” Ramaswamy echoed this sentiment, writing:
“The bill could have easily been under 20 pages. Instead, there are dozens of unrelated policy items crammed into the 1,547 pages of this bill. There’s no legitimate reason for them to be voted on as a package deal by a lame-duck Congress.”
“We’re grateful for DOGE’s warm reception on Capitol Hill,” Ramaswamy added. “Nearly everyone agrees we need a smaller & more streamlined federal government, but actions speak louder than words. This is an early test. The bill should fail.”
DOGE’s fierce opposition comes with Trump’s apparent blessing. Trump, along with Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, issued a joint statement criticizing the CR and advocating for a short-term funding bill without Democratic add-ons:
“Republicans want to support our farmers, pay for disaster relief, and set our country up for success in 2025. The only way to do that is with a temporary funding bill WITHOUT DEMOCRAT GIVEAWAYS combined with an increase in the debt ceiling. Anything else is a betrayal of our country.”
Though Trump has refrained from aggressively directing GOP lawmakers during this transition period, he appears to be putting increasing pressure on Speaker Johnson. Notably, Johnson has managed a much smoother relationship with Trump than his predecessor Paul Ryan or Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Despite their rocky relationship, McConnell and Trump found common ground in reshaping the federal judiciary during Trump’s first term.
Yet internal conflict persists. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) announced his refusal to back Johnson for Speaker next month, and rumors swirl of another fight over leadership. Some speculate a repeat of the chaos that followed Kevin McCarthy’s removal, with familiar names emerging in discussions.
Amidst this turmoil, Gaetz preemptively countered the forthcoming House Ethics Committee report into his conduct. In a dramatic statement, Gaetz promised to participate in the next Speaker election, push for the release of records of taxpayer-funded “me too” settlements, and then resign from Congress to pursue a position at One America News Network.
While Johnson has navigated his tenure without triggering a government shutdown thus far, each funding battle has strained relations with conservative lawmakers. Heritage Action officially opposed the current CR on Wednesday. Reports indicate that Johnson may consider a new bill addressing conservatives’ concerns, especially in light of Trump’s direct involvement.
It remains to be seen how much sway Trump can wield over a House Republican caucus plagued by infighting, but the stakes for his incoming administration and GOP unity have never been clearer.
