*Democratic strategist Basil Smikle ignited controversy during a recent MSNBC appearance, where he criticized the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its cost-cutting measures.
Smikle, a lecturer at Columbia University, framed DOGE’s budget reductions as not just an assault on government spending but a targeted attack on past Black leaders, Daily Mail reports.
“So yes, it’s an attack on government, but it’s also an attack on this government,” Smikle stated. “What I mean by that is it’s an attack on this government that used to be headed by a Black man. It’s an attack on this government that almost elected a Black woman to the highest office in the land.”
His remarks raised eyebrows, especially since Barack Obama left office years ago and multiple administrations have followed.
Smikle’s comments went viral, with critics across the political spectrum weighing in. Supporters of President Trump ridiculed the assertion, taking to social media to express disbelief.
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Columbia Prof. Basil Smikle claims DOGE saving taxpayer money is RACIST because it targets a gov’t once led by a black man and nearly elected a black woman.
This is the left’s argument against cutting waste. pic.twitter.com/RdjhdO6tkk
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 6, 2025
“That is the worst logic I have ever heard. Zero foundation. How is this man a professor of anything?” one X user wrote. Another added, “That’s quite the circular logic.”
DOGE, spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk, has been aggressively pursuing government downsizing, aiming to eliminate inefficiencies, fraud, and waste. Musk has told lawmakers that the agency could potentially save the federal government $1 trillion this year alone.
While Republicans largely support DOGE’s mission as a means to curb the national deficit, which stands at $2 trillion annually, some lawmakers—both Republican and Democrat—have raised concerns about the rapid and drastic reductions in federal jobs.
Musk recently met with House Republicans and GOP senators in Washington to discuss DOGE’s future, as the Trump administration continues its legal and public relations battle to defend the program. However, tensions remain high as federal employees brace for significant changes.
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