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Even Republicans Have DOGE Anxiety Attacks

Publicly, Republicans have nothing but kind words for Trump, Musk, and the DOGE agenda. Behind the scenes, however, they’re lobbying fiercely against cuts out of political self-preservation.

Katie Britt
Alabama happens to be a major recipient of federal funding, which makes Britt emblematic of her party’s broader DOGE-facing dilemma. Photo: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
Leigh Ann Caldwell
February 20, 2025

When the cameras are rolling, congressional Republicans are ostensibly on board with the budget-slashing and government-shrinking blitzkrieg being directed by Donald Trump and his partner Elon Musk. In private, though, G.O.P. lawmakers are starting to freak out over the likely impact of severe cuts on their own states, constituents, and of course, political careers—an outbreak of acute DOGE NIMBYism that is spurring a frantic behind-the-scenes campaign to ensure their districts are spared.