Vance Says Musk Made ‘Mistakes’ With DOGE Federal Layoffs
Vice President J.D. Vance addressed recent controversies surrounding the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) efforts to overhaul the federal workforce, acknowledging that Elon Musk, a senior adviser to President Donald Trump, has made some “mistakes” in the process.
The remarks came in an interview with NBC News published Friday, where Vance clarified his stance on the mass firings of federal workers that have garnered significant backlash.
Since assuming office, the Trump administration has pushed for aggressive reforms within the federal government, relying heavily on DOGE to identify inefficiencies, reduce government spending, and streamline the workforce.
This has resulted in the termination of thousands of federal employees. While Vance did not criticize the overall initiative, he emphasized that mistakes were made along the way, particularly with some of the firings.
“Elon himself has said that sometimes you do something, you make a mistake, and then you undo the mistake,” Vance said. “I’m accepting of mistakes,” he continued, adding that correcting those mistakes quickly is key to moving forward. Vance stressed that there are “a lot of good people” in the federal government who are doing their jobs effectively.
DOGE’s aggressive cuts have not been without significant opposition. Lawmakers, activists, and various organizations have filed lawsuits against the advisory board, which have led to some federal courts issuing orders to halt the mass terminations.
Despite this resistance, Vance defended the overall goals of the initiative, noting that inefficiencies within the federal government need to be addressed.
The vice president acknowledged the challenges that have come with DOGE’s work, but he also recognized the value of many federal workers. “There are a lot of great civil servants who are doing important work,” Vance said, per NBC News.
He emphasized that while the government does employ individuals who “collect a check and not do a job,” the majority of workers are dedicated and effective in their roles.
Recent polling has shown mixed reactions from the American public.
A Quinnipiac University poll released this week revealed that 60 percent of U.S. adults disapprove of DOGE’s handling of federal workers, while only 36 percent support the effort.
This public dissatisfaction reflects the growing discontent with the aggressive cuts to government positions, which some view as an overreach.
Vance also addressed concerns regarding the size of the federal workforce, which currently numbers in the millions. While the vice president did not provide specific numbers, he stated that the proportion of underperforming workers is unclear. “How many people is that? I don’t know,” he said, adding that whether it’s a few thousand or more, inefficiency in any form must be tackled.
Despite the pushback against DOGE, Vance emphasized that most dedicated civil servants share his belief in the importance of a streamlined government. “We want to be empowered to do our job,” he said, underscoring that the actions of a few unproductive workers should not impede the work of those who are committed to public service.
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That is a small portion, esp from a university. I would use a better poll. I agree 100% w DOGE.