DOGE Republicans Skeptical of Trump’s Idea to Halve Defense Budget in Deal With China, Russia

‘He can’t control China. China’s our enemy,’ Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) said.

Members of the House's Department of Government Efficiency Caucus, Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas), and Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 25, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

WASHINGTON—In a Feb. 25 press conference, Republicans with the House DOGE Caucus spoke about their alignment with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a time-limited organization created via executive order to address waste, fraud, and abuse in federal spending, in line with President Donald Trump’s agenda.

But some sounded skeptical of one massive possible spending cut that Trump has also floated—namely, working to halve the defense budget if Russia and China agree to the same.