Over the last week, Vought has ramped up this rhetoric, repeatedly talking about using a controversial tactic known as a “pocket recission” to defy Congress’ funding directives. Using such a maneuver later this summer, he contends, would let the White House make all of the DOGE cuts permanent, regardless of support or disapproval from Congress.

DOGE isn’t dead, both President Donald Trump and Elon Musk assured last week as Musk said goodbye to the Trump administration. But the already dicey effort Musk led could soon become even more so.