LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — As billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk took the helm of the newly-formed DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) organization, his team wasted no time in implementing drastic federal cuts to what they deemed "wasteful government spending."

The move has sent ripples throughout the country and Kentucky, leaving many to wonder what the long-term impact would be.

As reported by WDRB earlier this week, DOGE has terminated leases for three federal offices in Louisville — the Office of the Secretary, Departmental Management, and the FDA office — expecting to save $301,000.

However, Louisville Metro Council Member Anthony Piagentini said Metro Government cut hundreds of employees several years ago and needs to focus on the private sector...

"To get both local and other businesses to come in and locate downtown and work and pay taxes there, again, it's not the role of the government to just ensure we have people sitting in buildings," Piagentini said.

Meanwhile, Louisville Rep. Morgan McGarvey has concerns about DOGE's methods.

"A lot of what DOGE is doing, they are doing in secret," McGarvey said. "I believe in a transparency government that tell us what you're doing."

McGarvey's biggest concern regards veterans. DOGE plans to cut 80,000 jobs from Veterans Affairs, but a number that would take it back to the total number of employees it had before the pandemic.

"We're really pushing for information and answers as to what's happening with the VA here what's going to happen to federal office buildings downtown," McGarvey said. "They're not telling us."

Jefferson County GOP Chair Don Fitzpatrick said with a $37 trillion debt, federal cuts need to happen quickly.

"It's painful for the individuals, it's painful for their families," Fitzpatrick said. "I just keep coming back to the fact that they've got to get moving on getting this spending rein in, it's just not sustainable."

However, McGarvey said the cuts are drastic.

"You're not making cuts with scissors, you're making cuts with an axe," McGarvey said.

Fitzpatrick said it's typical for President Trump to start big and ease back. After reports of a heated meeting with some Cabinet members and Musk this week, that may be happening Trump said on Thursday.

"I want the Cabinet members to go first, keep all the people you want," President Trump said. "Everybody that you need. We say the 'scalpel rather than the hatchet.'"

So maybe the country will see a more methodical Musk and DOGE team in the coming weeks.

"I'm all for getting rid of waste and abuse," McGarvey said.

But with a new President there is definitely a new way of dealing with government agencies.

"Those big organizations become very bureaucratic, because again, their view is they come, they go, we stay," Fitzpatrick said.

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