Reporter Calls Out Republicans for 'Railing Against Unelected Bureaucrats' While Handing Executive Powers to Elon Musk

A reporter called out Republicans for "railing against unelected bureaucrats" despite defending handing executive powers to Elon Musk.

During a press conference Wednesday morning, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson was confronted by a reporter who questioned him about the "inconsistencies" between Republicans' actions and words.

While taking questions from the media, a reporter asked Johnson, "Is there an inconsistency with Republicans railing against 'unelected bureaucrats' in charge and yet ceding Article 1 powers to the executive branch under Elon Musk?"

Johnson denied the implications of the reporter's questions, calling the reaction from the media to Musk's involvement in the government "a gross overreaction."

"The executive branch of government in our system has the right to evaluate how executive branch agencies are operating, and to ensure not only the intent of Congress in funding mechanisms, but also the stewardship of precious American tax dollars are being handled well," he told the press.

The Louisiana representative asserted that Republicans do not see Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) actions as "a power grab," but believe that it is within the legal limits.

"When Congress funds an agency they give broad discretion to the executive branch on how it's administered. They're using that authority right now in a way it hasn't been used in a long time so it looks radical. It's not, I call it stewardship," Johnson said.

Musk and DOGE have come under fire recently from social media users as well as Democratic lawmakers after learning that the billionaire and his team had received access to the Treasury Department's payment systems.

The reports have led to both in-person and online protests from those who believe that Musk's perceived influence have become too overbearing. Meanwhile, DOGE has stated that its intent is to reduce government spending.