In a new wave of reforms from the White House, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took center stage this week defending the administration’s push to rein in government spending—a move led by the Department of Government Efficiency, known simply as DOGE. The initiative, guided by DOGE chief Elon Musk, has sparked both praise and controversy across the political spectrum, with some critics accusing the plan of being too aggressive, while others say it’s long overdue.

Leavitt, undeterred by mounting media attention, pointed to a broader historical context. In a recent post, she reminded the public that past Democratic presidents—including Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden—had all, at various times, called for significant cuts to federal spending. In fact, she shared archived video clips of these leaders advocating for leaner government and fiscal discipline.

“For those protesting this week’s decisions, just listen to your own party’s leaders. The message hasn’t changed—waste needs to go,” she posted on X, along with the footage.

Others online echoed this perspective. Viral posts showed Clinton-era speeches that emphasized a need to cut back government waste. During his tenure, President Clinton introduced a sweeping plan to eliminate unnecessary programs, reduce administrative costs by double digits, and slash tens of thousands of federal jobs. At the time, the goal was to prevent a projected deficit that could have spiraled to $650 billion annually.

That warning, it turns out, may have underestimated the trajectory. Today, the U.S. federal deficit has ballooned to over $1.8 trillion—almost triple that earlier forecast. More alarmingly, nearly $880 billion of that budget now goes solely toward interest payments on the national debt.

The comparison has become more than a footnote. Clinton’s 1990s reform blueprint—which cut 380,000 government positions and helped balance the budget—is now being looked at as a model for the present day.

And that’s where DOGE comes in.

Designed to be a modern successor to the U.S. Digital Service (USDS), a tech-oriented federal initiative created during the Obama administration, DOGE was established to identify inefficiencies, streamline outdated systems, and modernize public-sector processes. But unlike its predecessor, DOGE operates with the expectation of public accountability and measurable results.

Congressman Daniel Webster spoke about the shift in a recent op-ed. He expressed frustration with the resistance to DOGE, noting that many of the same voices now opposing the reforms had once supported nearly identical strategies—when they were proposed under a different administration.

“Washington is $36 trillion in debt,” he wrote. “It’s time to replace unchecked bureaucracy with innovation and results. DOGE is that vehicle.”

Webster added that USDS had been given access to some of the government’s most sensitive systems, including Medicare’s billion-dollar mainframe, yet few questioned the program at the time. Now, however, under a new name and new leadership, those same permissions are being scrutinized.

The appointment of Elon Musk as head of DOGE has only amplified attention. Known for his work in technology, space, and transportation, Musk brings a private-sector mentality to public administration. While some see him as a bold choice, others worry his vision may be too disruptive for traditional institutions.

Still, supporters argue that disruption is exactly what’s needed.

“DOGE isn’t about politics,” said a senior White House official who requested anonymity. “It’s about performance. If a government agency can’t explain what it does, why it costs so much, or how it improves lives, then it’s time to revisit whether it should even exist.”

The plan moving forward is ambitious. DOGE’s mandate includes reviewing all discretionary agency budgets, recommending closures or consolidations of obsolete programs, and launching digital tools to automate manual, costly government functions. Agencies will be expected to justify every dollar spent—with quarterly reviews and public reports.

Critics remain vocal, but Leavitt remains firm. “This isn’t about cutting just for the sake of cutting,” she said. “It’s about building something leaner, smarter, and better equipped for the future.”

As protests form outside the Treasury Department and headlines debate the pace of reform, one truth remains: government transformation is underway, and its outcome could reshape how federal power functions for generations.

The DOGE directive may have started quietly—but it’s quickly becoming one of the most watched initiatives in Washington.