(NewsNation) — Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Ore., who was on the Department of Government Efficiency Caucus, announced live on NewsNation air that Elon Musk’s behavior has forced her to leave DOGE.
“It’s like trying to replace your roof when someone is throwing dynamite through the window into your living room. It’s just not possible,” Hoyle explained. “So, I’m leaving the DOGE Caucus.”
“Right now, I just don’t think it’s possible with what’s happening,” Hoyle said, clarifying that the caucus doesn’t directly work with Musk.
“President Trump handed over the keys to the White House, to the Treasury, to government, to an unelected billionaire, and you know, it’s, quite frankly, very disturbing,” Hoyle said.
Hoyle told “CUOMO” that, while those involved in the caucus want to be “good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Musk is “accountable to no one” and has made it impossible to get work done.
She adds that neither she nor her Republican colleagues have any influence in efficiency operations.
What powers does Elon Musk have?
DOGE has been controversial from the start. Though it is not an agency or a Cabinet-level position, it has been treated similarly.
Because it is not an agency, Musk has not had to go through a Senate confirmation hearing that would typically be required for someone at that level of power.
The White House has classified Musk as a special government employee with a limited contract, which means he is exempt from certain regulations regarding financial disclosure and transparency.
DOGE has also made unilateral changes to certain agencies, most notably USAID.
NewsNation’s Steph Whiteside contributed to this report.