Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna of California has expressed his willingness to collaborate with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as part of the Trump administration’s newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., has been the representative for California’s 17th district since 2017.

The initiative aims to streamline government operations and reduce wasteful spending. Khanna announced his support in a series of posts on X, emphasizing his track record in addressing government inefficiencies.

Khanna, a progressive Democrat, stated his readiness to work alongside Musk and Ramaswamy in a tweet: “I’m ready to work with @doge, @elonmusk + @VivekGRamaswamy to slash waste. I have a track record of doing so,” he wrote.

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He cited his success in securing a $16 million refund from defense contractor TransDigm after exposing price-gouging practices.

The lawmaker appeared on ABC’s This Week on Sunday, where he discussed his vision for the initiative.

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He praised Musk’s strategy during the Obama administration that allowed SpaceX to compete for government contracts, disrupting traditional defense contractors like Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

“Elon Musk worked with President Obama and [Defense Secretary] Ash Carter to introduce competition in launching satellites, which saved taxpayers money,” Khanna said. He suggested similar efforts could be applied to other areas of government spending.

Khanna highlighted defense spending as a prime target for DOGE.

He pointed out that the F-35 program by Lockheed Martin has gone $200 billion over budget.

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Additionally, he criticized wasteful purchases such as $1,400 breast pumps and $150,000 soap dispensers procured by the Department of Defense.

“I think when it comes to defense, getting better value while cutting costs can be an area for bipartisan cooperation,” Khanna stated.

The congressman also addressed healthcare reform, referencing a tweet by Senator Bernie Sanders supporting Musk’s call to ensure taxpayers “get their money’s worth.” Khanna argued that reducing administrative costs in healthcare could save billions.

“Medicare operates with just 2% administrative costs, compared to 18% for private insurance. DOGE should examine these inefficiencies,” Khanna said on ABC.

Despite the bipartisan appeal of cutting waste, the initiative has faced criticism. Some watchdogs and lawmakers have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, particularly given Musk’s significant government contracts with his companies like SpaceX and Tesla.

Critics argue that Musk’s leadership could lead to targeting agencies that regulate his businesses.

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Podcast host Keith Olbermann accused Khanna of being “played” by Musk and Ramaswamy.

Khanna fired back on X, defending his stance: “With respect, your support for the establishment and constant criticism of @BernieSanders is why we are in this mess. Bernie understands the need for defense cuts. Let a new generation build a party that can win.”

Progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also criticized Musk for his comments about defunding the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), pointing out that the organization does not receive taxpayer funding.

“Meanwhile, y’all are proposing defunding veterans’ healthcare, Medicare, and Social Security,” she wrote. “Doesn’t get lower than gutting lifelines for veterans, seniors, and the disabled.”

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While Khanna supports DOGE’s goals, he emphasized that certain areas should remain untouched, including Social Security, Medicare, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “These are critical programs that directly benefit the American people. DOGE should focus on inefficiencies, not essential services,” he said.

As DOGE begins its efforts to reduce government waste, the collaboration between Khanna, Musk, and Ramaswamy underscores the potential for bipartisan action on fiscal responsibility.

However, questions about oversight and potential conflicts of interest will likely persist as the initiative unfolds.