Rep. Troy Balderson believes that some of President Trump’s avalanche of executive orders are getting ahead of Congress’ authority. 

Since taking the oath of office last month, Mr. Trump has signed dozens of such orders. Some have been lauded, while others have been slowed by a retaliatory flurry of lawsuits. 

Mr. Balderson, Ohio Republican, told attendees at a Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday that the president’s executive actions were “getting out of control,” the Columbus Dispatch reported. 

“Congress has to decide whether or not the Department of Education goes away,” the lawmaker said. “Not the president, not Elon Musk. Congress decides.”

Mr. Trump has long expressed his desire to do away with the Education Department, but he hasn’t signed an executive order nuking the agency. He did take executive action requiring that the department and federal agencies cease funding schools that support “illegal and discriminatory treatment and indoctrination” — specifically those that allow men in women’s sports.

The president has also sent his efficiency bloodhound, Elon Musk, and his Department of Government Efficiency to probe the department. 

Mr. Balderson supports DOGE’s efforts to shrink the federal government, but affirmed that “Congress has to do their work.”

The lawmaker later clarified his remarks in a post on X.

“I fully support President Trump’s agenda to rein in our bloated federal government & put Americans first,” Mr. Balderson said. “Now, it’s time for Congress to act. It’s up to us on Capitol Hill to make permanent his executive actions, ensuring continuity in public policy from one administration to the next.”

His office told The Washington Times that he was making a broader point of presidential administrations taking executive action that should be done through Congress’ legislative powers.

• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.