The issue isn’t whether this department is ethical, productive, or doing good work, that's beside the point.

The real problem is that an unelected official, who is essentially an extension of the executive branch, is deciding who does and doesn’t receive funds appropriated by Congress.

What’s to stop this from escalating? The president/doge could wield this power as leverage over every member of Congress. “It’d be a shame if something happened to Social Security” or “Maybe those farmers won’t get their subsidies.” Erodes the very foundation of representative governance.

Why should people not be hesitant or angry at the executive branch assuming this much power?