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Days of DOGE: A Civitas Outlook Symposium
Robert Beschel, Charlie Cooke, Robert Delahunty, and Yuval Levin analyze DOGE.
The intervention of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) throughout the federal government has ignited intense controversy along intersecting lines of constitutional, policy, and cultural disputes. Much of the fracas is happening within a federal government where Congress no longer reliably flexes its constitutional responsibilities. Accordingly, the judicial and executive branches frequently attempt to snatch greater levels of legitimacy and government functionality in the face of a moribund Congress. On one level, valuable information is emerging from DOGE’s efforts regarding eccentric spending programs, waste, and fraud. However, there are also constitutional concerns about DOGE’s irresponsible use of power within the executive branch while attempting to root out various forms of dysfunctional government. What should a constitutionally minded reformer think about these events?
Civitas Outlook asked Robert Beschel, Charlie Cooke, Robert Delahunty, and Yuval Levin to analyze DOGE and its implications.
Robert Beschel: DOGE is a Dodge
Charlie Cooke: The Hard Limits on DOGE
Robert Delahunty: DOGE & USAID
Yuval Levin: Making DOGE Constitutional
Constitutionalism
Rational Judicial Review: Constitutions as Power-sharing Agreements, Secession, and the Problem of Dred Scott
Judicial review and originalism serve as valuable commitment mechanisms to enforce future compliance with a political bargain.
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Amicus Brief: Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. Plaquemines Parish
Civitas Research Fellow Michael Toth's work was cited in a Supreme Court brief.
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Why Trump’s ‘Emergency’ Tariffs Won’t Fly
The trade deficit isn’t a sudden surprise, short in duration, and great in harm: the usual characteristics of an emergency.
Democracy in Britain: The Lords’ Work
Part 2: How the “hereditary peers” enhance lawmaking and support the soft power of the UK.
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Humphrey’s Executor and the Future of Presidential Power
The U.S. Supreme Court is almost certain to hold that President Trump lawfully fired Rebecca Slaughter from her role as a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission.
