Trump’s Special Missions Envoy, Ric Grenell, one of the most influential conservatives in California, proposed [1] the creation of a Department of Government Efficiency for California on Sunday to address what he sees as excessive government waste in the state.
JUST NOW: Ric Grenell calls for having a DOGE in California.
Awesome idea, do it. pic.twitter.com/iPnkx1Wf5Q [3]
— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) February 23, 2025 [4]
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who has been vocal about his frustrations with California’s regulations and tax policies, signaled his support for the idea.
Grenell’s proposal comes as California continues to grapple with financial instability.
We need @DOGE [5] California.
ASAP, please. @elonmusk [6]
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) February 23, 2025 [7]
The state went from a surplus during the COVID-19 pandemic to a significant budget deficit, raising concerns about fiscal mismanagement.
It is unclear what specific event prompted Grenell’s suggestion, but California has faced mounting criticism over its high spending and complex bureaucracy.
Musk, who founded several of his companies in California before moving Tesla’s headquarters to Texas, has been critical of the state’s economic policies.
Crucial or California will go bankrupt https://t.co/7h4xIcFkES [8]
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 23, 2025 [9]
He referenced DOGE’s impact at the federal level, stating that it has been eliminating unnecessary positions and removing employees who fail to provide valuable public service.
On Friday, California Governor Gavin Newsom sent a request to Congress for $40 billion in federal assistance for wildfire damage in Los Angeles.
JUST IN: CA Governor Gavin Newsom requests $40B from the federal government for Los Angeles fire recovery efforts.
California is strapped for cash because they have spent billions of dollars on illegal immigrants.
The state of California is now paying $9.5 billion a year just… pic.twitter.com/OBTnUcinsK [10]
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 22, 2025 [11]
Just two weeks earlier, Newsom signed two bills totaling $50 million—one aimed at fighting President Donald Trump’s policies and another to assist illegal immigrants in avoiding deportation.
Instead of looking in the mirror and reflecting on the self-inflicted tragedy engulfing Los Angeles right now, Gavin Newsom is moving ahead with a special session and $50 million already earmarked to “Trump Proof” the state of California.
The literal definition of insanity. pic.twitter.com/F6PpScpNQV [12]
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 13, 2025 [13]
The proposal for DOGE has already sparked concern among Democrats, who view it as a potential threat to government agencies and discretionary funds that have long been used to support external political groups aligned with left-wing causes.
While the concept remains speculative, Grenell’s idea aligns with broader conservative calls for reducing government waste and increasing accountability in California’s public sector.