Libertarians have long espoused the virtues of a minimal state and advocated individual liberty and economic freedom above all else. However, the practical application of these ideals within existing political structures often proves elusive.
From Ronald Reagan to the Tea Party movement, Republican politicians have used libertarian rhetoric to gain power but have repeatedly failed to measurably reduce the size and scope of the state. As a professional libertarian activist for 15 years, I have come close to losing hope of ever seeing a truly limited federal government in my lifetime.
Next came the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
A week after his victory, President-elect Donald Trump announced the creation of a new Presidential Advisory Council tasked with recommending cuts to federal spending. The effort, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, is named DOGE, a play on the SpaceX founder's words. favorite meme and the cryptocurrency named after it.
However, jokes aside, can DOGE seriously cut down the nation? My experience in Washington suggests it's not that simple.
The first reason to be pessimistic about DOGE is the name itself. The “Ministry” is not an actual government agency, as some believe. In fact, the commission's expiration date is July 4, 2026. Therefore, the recommendation may end up being just a suggestion. To truly reduce government spending, Mr. Trump will need cooperation from Congress, where he has the power of the purse.
That would be a tall order, considering the dirty secrets that liberals like me don't want to admit. That means government spending is widely popular. It's true that a total of 54 percent of Americans believe that the government is doing too much, according to one survey. October Gallup Poll. However, recent surveys show that when Americans break down spending by category, they have a favorable view of nearly every government agency (except the Department of Education, Department of Justice, and Internal Revenue Service). pew research survey.
So when the rubber meets the road, it will be difficult for DOGE to find a politically popular cut. Even drastic cuts like the complete abolition of the Department of Education, which is often called for among libertarians. $82.5 billionThat's just a fraction of the $2 trillion that Musk and Ramaswamy promised to cut. in fact, 55% of federal spending This concerns rights such as Social Security and Medicare, and has long been considered a “third rail” issue that would be political suicide for Congress or the president to touch.
A final reason for pessimism is that the United States is not in a fiscal crisis, or at least not yet. We have seen throughout history that governments only embrace fiscal shock therapy when the going gets tough. The most famous modern example is Argentina, with its president, Javier Millay. reduce government spending That's down about 31 percent, with 13 agencies closing or merging. But Argentina has been crippled by hyperinflation caused by decades of poor governance. The situation in the US is not so bleak.
Nevertheless, Trump, Musk, and Ramaswamy should be given credit for being forward-thinking enough to put the libertarian project of cutting government spending back on the table before America becomes a second Argentina. be. Here is an opportunity for libertarians. While DOGE may not directly lead to a leaner government, it can serve as a catalyst for public debate about government efficiency and spending.
The libertarian community should see this moment as a strategic opening. DOGE could be a rallying point for libertarians to reignite their enthusiasm for fiscal conservatism, even if President Trump's policies in other areas, such as tariffs, are anathema to libertarian economics. This is an opportunity for a narrative in a media environment that promotes a reduction in government overreach. Memes, media coverage, and public discussion can all contribute to shifting public opinion toward a more libertarian view of the government.
So while DOGE is not a silver bullet for achieving smaller government, it represents a significant cultural and political moment. Libertarians must take advantage of this, advance legislative action where possible, and continue to advocate for a government that respects individual freedom.
The path to smaller government cannot be dictated from above, but must be a collaborative effort involving a motivated people, a responsible Congress, and a president willing to champion the cause. Now is the time for libertarians to show that their ideals are not just theoretical, but can actually influence the workings of government.
Casey Given is president and executive director of Young Voices, a nonprofit public relations agency that introduces emerging libertarian writers to the media.
