America's debt crisis is no longer a distant concern; it's an immediate threat with immediate consequences. Some politicians -- perhaps realizing that it's become more difficult to ignore the problem and avoid repercussions -- are turning to executive action. This includes the Trump administration's embrace of Elon Musk's increasingly active Department of Government Efficiency.

It's an unorthodox approach that may make some important progress reducing fraud and improving efficiency. But it isn't foolproof or without tremendous risks.
Federal debt stands at approximately 100 percent of GDP, with annual deficits projected to exceed $1.8 trillion and heading to $2.5 trillion in 2035. Interest costs on the debt are higher than defense spending and growing. Left unchecked, the debt could be nearly double the size of the economy by mid-century. That's also based on rosy assumptions like a growing economy and relatively lower inflation and interest rates.
Facing this foreseeable challenge, most politicians' responses have been inadequate. Some argue for raising taxes, but history shows that under this current tax code, it's practically impossible to raise revenue as a share of GDP consistently above 20 percent. That's in part because higher taxes slow growth and new revenues often trigger higher spending.
Others propose cutting discretionary spending, but these programs account for only one-third of the federal budget, making even the most aggressive cuts politically unacceptable without making much dent in our debt.
The primary problem is entitlement spending and interest payments on the debt. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid already make up most federal expenditures and drive nearly all projected future deficits. Without serious reform, these programs will become financially unsustainable, forcing abrupt benefit cuts, massive tax increases, or a mix of both.
Into this environment steps DOGE. The idea is simple: Have the executive branch impose small, incremental s...