The private GOP panic over the slash-and-burn DOGE firings

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Politico

02/20/2025 04:26 PM EST


A growing number of congressional Republicans are desperately trying to back-channel with White House officials as President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency ramps up its slash-and-burn firings of federal workers.

GOP lawmakers unleashed a frantic flurry of calls and texts after federal agencies undertook the latest firings this past weekend, with Republicans particularly worried about cuts affecting public safety and health roles. Trump’s legislative affairs team, headed by former JD Vance aide James Braid, took the brunt of the frenetic fallout, according to four Republicans granted anonymity to discuss the conversations.

For the most part, Republican members are publicly cheering the administration’s push to slash the federal government, which is being led by billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk with Trump’s blessing. But privately, many are feeling helpless to counter the meat-ax approach that has been embraced so far, with lawmakers especially concerned about the dismissal of military veterans working in federal agencies as well as USDA employees handling the growing bird flu outbreak affecting poultry and dairy farms.

“I thought we were supposed to be in a new era of meritocracy. Not the indiscriminate firing of people,” said one Republican congressional aide granted anonymity to speak candidly.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/20/gop-lawmaker-doge-cut-panic-00205282

[Vogon_Glory]

1. A new era of meritocracy? Bwahahahahaha!

No, Orange Julius isn’t interested in merit or meritocracy. Orange Julius is only interested in making himself and his top donors wealthier and sticking it to the weak and powerless.

[Mister Ed]

3. Tulsi Gabbard? Pete Hegseth? Dr. Oz? Kash Patel? RFK Jr.?

We're talkin' merit, baby!

[truthisfreedom]

2. They didn't get the memo.

This is the looting of America.

[wishstar]

4. The unstable maniac made it clear this was going to be his "revenge tour"

yet they supported a dishonest incompetent psychopath and his unqualified wrecking crew just to get back in power to hurt their political foes and enrich themselves.

[Dorian Gray]

5. Dems don't have power

if they don't like the cuts, they're oging to have to lead the charge against them.

[tanyev]

6. OMG, the White House isn't going to do one damn thing.

USE YOUR CONGRESSIONAL POWERS. Launch investigations! Issue subpoenas! Refuse to vote for his nominees!

Remember how much fun you had doing that when Biden was president? You can do it again!

[Bengus81]

7. Republicans in Congress are such milque toast wussies that they

have their aides do the talking?

[4catsmom]

8. if you'd just shown some backbone

but you didn't want to lose your congressional seat. Good luck ruling over penniless people living in ruins. I understand they are a little unruly.

[lonely bird]

9. The Republican Party is a psychotic organization

They built this monster and now they are afraid. They are gutless.

I call for the complete and utter destruction of the Republican Party as a functional organization.

Sic Semper Tyrannus.

[Ford_Prefect]

10. How many is "a growing number" and how seriously can we take their concerns when they are not actually resisting?

It sounds more like pearl clutching than genuine involvement. If they are really worried to the degree the article suggests why aren't they acting as Congress and the Senate are intended and engineered to do?

[Prairie Gates]

11. Every Dem ad needs to amplify Elon Musk swinging around a chain saw

and acting a goddamn fool. Every Dem who attends a town hall needs to use the term "chainsaw" pejoratively for careless, reckless, and poorly planned cuts.

Dems should have ads with Musk swinging around the chainsaw then those TikTok videos of chainsaw idiots cutting down tree branches on to their own houses and cars. These should be paired and running on socials nonstop.

Let's get in the fucking game here.

[V850i]

16. And hang it around the GOP

We always focus on a person, make sure the public knows it is all of them!

[Zorro]

12. I don't buy it

They are all onboard with what Trump is doing. They aren’t really interested in what their constituency wants.

[Aristus]

13. It ain't gonna do no good in private, you dickheads!

Say it out loud!

[Orrex]

14. Every last one of them can go fuck themselves forever

[Tansy_Gold]

19. Thank you. I would just add. . .

Sideways.

[V850i]

15. I don't believe it anymore

Since Trump has been on the scene, this is part of every story... the Republicans are concerned, hands are wringing, teeth are gnashing... I say BS. They are not worried, they gleefully go along with anything that Trump does. Except for a few, Liz Cheney, Adam Kitzinger maybe a couple others, they are all cowards.

[wolfie001]

17. Every one of 'em is an oil covered lizard missing their spine

repukes are just nasty and cannot be counted on to do anything honest nor fair, never mind dignified. Always pandering to the lowest, most foul racists in our once great country (whenever the f**k that was)

[JoseBalow]

18. Their only concern is for getting re-elected

Gotta protect the grift.

[hibbing]

20. Profiles in courage n/t

[Skittles]

21. private?

more like COWARDLY