Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are spearheading a new initiative under President-elect Donald Trump to cut excessive federal defense spending, and their work has drawn a somewhat unexpected admirer.

President-elect Donald Trump has tasked Musk and Ramaswamy with leading a significant reform program to reduce government spending, and it has generated support from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), as the Daily Mail reports.

Their focus is significantly on the inefficiencies within the Department of Defense, a department known for its problematic financial audits and extensive spending on private contracts.

Specifically, Musk and Ramaswamy will co-chair the newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Their goal is to overhaul how the government allocates its financial resources, particularly in defense, to ensure more accountable and effective use of taxpayer money.

Unexpected Support from Bernie Sanders, Ro Khanna

Sanders has vocally supported Musk's initiative, highlighting it as a critical step towards rectifying the rampant waste within the military-industrial complex.

Last year, Sanders pointed out, only 13 senators, including himself, stood against the inflated defense budget that he claims is riddled with waste and fraud.

This sentiment was echoed by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), who also emphasized the need for bipartisan efforts to tackle what he describes as nearly a trillion dollars of poorly accounted-for spending in the Defense budget.

Khanna believes that proposals to introduce more competition among defense contractors could garner substantial support across the aisle.

Details on the Department of Government Efficiency's Mission

Both Musk and Ramaswamy are prepared to report their findings on government spending cuts to Donald Trump and wind down the enterprise by July 4, 2026.

This deadline aligns with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a symbolically significant date for introducing reforms aimed at streamlining government operations.

The Department of Defense, with an annual budget of $841 billion for the fiscal year 2024, has failed its seventh consecutive audit, as noted by Musk and Ramaswamy.

They argue that such consistent failures underscore the urgent need for reform within the Pentagon and its contracting practices.

The Challenge of Achieving a Clean Audit

According to Musk, the newly formed DOGE aims to enhance the efficiency of defense spending by addressing the root causes of its current inefficiencies.

Ramaswamy also stressed the importance of strengthening the military not by increasing the budget but by optimizing its spending. This approach, he argues, would ensure that funds are used effectively to enhance national security.

Michael McCord, a senior official at the Pentagon, acknowledged the challenges ahead. He suggested that maintaining continuity in certain processes while implementing new efficiencies could be the strongest path forward for the Defense Department, which plans to achieve a clean audit by 2028.

Bipartisan Support and the Path Ahead

The initiative has sparked a notable level of bipartisan interest, as evidenced by the endorsements from figures such as Bernie Sanders and Ro Khanna. Their statements underscore a growing consensus that addressing government waste is not only possible but necessary.

Donald Trump has praised the efforts of Musk and Ramaswamy, describing their anticipated report as a "perfect gift to America" on a milestone anniversary.

This initiative, according to Trump, will culminate in a government that operates with greater efficiency and less bureaucracy, embodying the spirit of independence and self-governance that the nation celebrates.