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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
Amicus Brief: Hon. William P. Barr and Hon. Michael B. Mukasey in Support of Petitioners
Former AGs Barr and Mukasey Cite Civitas in a SCOTUS Brief
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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What’s Wrong with a Military Campaign Against the Drug Trade
Trump’s boat strikes against the cartels risk crossing the line between law enforcement and war.
The Long History of Presidential Discretion
The Framers did not expect Congress to preauthorize every use of force or to manage military campaigns.
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A Listening Heart
Justice Barrett may have been an unlikely jurist, but the nation is lucky to have her.
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Waging Municipal Lawfare
The limited authority of local governments to initiate public interest litigation is a matter of law, not politics.
