Activists, who have been urging a stronger response, waved signs that said “Nobody Elected Elon,” as the party directs its outrage at Trump’s billionaire ally.

As its name implies, DOGE is supposed to focus on improving efficiency. But instead of presenting reforms to streamline government sensibly, Musk’s initial forays focused on political retribution and a desire to gut the federal workforce no matter the cost to efficiency, expertise, and security.