The White House is reaffirming its commitment to reducing government waste and increasing efficiency across federal agencies.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently addressed growing criticism of the administration’s budget-cutting efforts, which are being led in part by the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The initiative, advised by entrepreneur Elon Musk and his team, aims to streamline federal operations and identify areas of overspending. Leavitt responded to concerns by highlighting how previous presidents, including Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, also called for spending cuts and more efficient government operations.

“Calls for cutting wasteful spending are not new,” Leavitt said. “This is about smart management, not politics. We’ve seen past administrations—from both parties—support reforms that make government more accountable and effective.”

In recent weeks, archived videos have circulated online showing Clinton, Obama, and Biden all voicing the need for fiscal responsibility and reining in bureaucracy. Clinton, in particular, implemented large-scale reforms during the 1990s that included a reduction in the federal workforce, a cut in administrative costs, and the consolidation of numerous government programs. Those efforts led to budget surpluses during his presidency.

Fast forward to today, and the national deficit has grown significantly, now surpassing $1.8 trillion. Interest payments on federal debt alone exceed $880 billion annually. Supporters of DOGE argue that a modern overhaul is overdue.

Representative Daniel Webster of Florida wrote in a recent op-ed that the nation’s $36 trillion debt signals an urgent need for reform. “Rather than maintaining outdated systems and unchecked bureaucracy, it’s time for government agencies to prove their value and modernize,” Webster stated.

The Department of Government Efficiency is modeled in part on the U.S. Digital Service, which was launched in 2014 to bring private-sector tech talent into federal agencies. While that effort was initially welcomed, DOGE’s approach emphasizes deeper structural reviews and cost-saving measures across all departments.

Critics of the initiative have expressed concern over the influence of private-sector figures in federal operations, but officials maintain the program is focused strictly on identifying inefficiencies—not policy changes.

“It’s about improving operations, saving taxpayer dollars, and ensuring every agency is accountable,” said Leavitt. “Efficiency shouldn’t be a partisan issue—it’s common sense.”

With federal spending expected to remain a key issue in the coming months, the Department of Government Efficiency is set to release its first round of recommendations later this year.