Welcome back: Biden greets Trump at the White House
In a symbolic reunion, President Joe Biden welcomed former
President Donald Trump back to the White House with a handshake, signaling a
rare moment of civility in U.S. politics. The exchange came as Trump unveiled
plans for a government reform initiative led by tech mogul Elon Musk and former
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. This advisory panel aims to
streamline federal operations, reduce spending, and restructure federal
agencies to, in Trump’s words, “cut down on government bloat” and diminish the
“deep state”—a term he uses to describe entrenched federal employees with
alleged agendas.
Trump has given Musk and Ramaswamy a broad mandate to
identify potential cost-cutting measures. Musk, who in October suggested
federal spending could be cut by at least $2 trillion, has echoed these
ambitions, although achieving such cuts may prove challenging. The
Congressional Budget Office estimates that discretionary spending, including
defense, will total $1.9 trillion out of a $6.75 trillion federal budget for
fiscal 2024, suggesting that Musk’s target could be difficult to meet within
the given constraints.
The panel’s primary focus will be on streamlining government
functions and eliminating inefficiencies. Trump has repeatedly advocated for
abolishing the Department of Education, allowing states to control their education
systems independently. However, major budgetary decisions, including structural
changes to departments, ultimately rest with Congress, which can choose to
consider or ignore the panel's recommendations.
To promote transparency, Musk announced that the panel’s
actions will be open for public comment. “If people feel we're cutting
something valuable or ignoring waste, they can tell us,” he posted on X,
mentioning he would publish a list of “dumb” spending items that could offer,
in his words, “some laughs.”
Following the announcement, Trump acknowledged Biden’s
graciousness, expressing appreciation for a cooperative transition. “Politics
can be tough,” Trump said, “but today, it’s refreshing to see collaboration.”
