Hello everyone, welcome to “News Perspectives,” I am Li Xin.
Today’s focus: Recruiting highly intelligent individuals, Musk has “three fires”; Trump aims to build a powerful US military, strategy targets the CCP; Investigating “Four Nos and Five Losses” individuals around the country, a new round of clearing out low-end population?
On Thursday (the 14th), the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration began recruiting personnel. The department posted recruitment information on the social media platform X, stating that they are looking for individuals with extremely high IQ to join.
Under the leadership of Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the Efficiency Department requires applicants to be “willing to work over 80 hours per week,” enjoy cost-cutting work, believe in the concept of “small government,” and state “we do not need part-time idea-generators.” Applicants can send their resumes to the Efficiency Department via private message. “Musk and Vivek will review the top 1% of applicants.”
It is worth noting that the establishment of a new government department requires approval from the US Congress. Otherwise, the “Department of Government Efficiency” will only be a nominal department similar to a consulting company. Musk and Vivek will provide “advice and guidance,” and collaborate with the White House Management and Budget Office to create a “more efficient and less bureaucratic” small government. Trump likened this proposal to “The Manhattan Project.” “The Manhattan Project” was a research project during World War II responsible for producing the first nuclear weapons.
When appointing these two, Trump requested them to reduce the size of the government and increase efficiency by July 4, 2026. While the new government has not officially taken office yet, they have already started working diligently.
Musk responded on the social media platform X, stating that the Department of Government Efficiency will have “three fires.” Vivek also posted saying, “We won’t just scratch the surface.”
How will Musk operate the Efficiency Department? What are his objectives? As I mentioned in a previous episode, Musk aims to cut at least $2 trillion from the federal budget, with the US budget for fiscal year 2024 totaling $6.75 trillion. This includes top expenditures on social security, along with other expenses such as healthcare, defense, and interest payments on national debt.
$2 trillion is roughly equivalent to cutting about one-third of government spending. Additionally, Musk explicitly stated that only 99 out of the 428 federal agencies are needed, meaning cutting 3/4 of federal organizations. Billionaire Bill Ackman, who openly supports Trump, even commented saying, “What about 69?” Ackman believes that 99 departments are still too many, 69 would be sufficient.
Reportedly, the institutions and departments Musk plans to cut include the US Federal Trade Commission, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Justice, and Securities and Exchange Commission. He also intends to target the US Department of Education and National Public Radio.
Musk also mentioned on social media that all actions of the Department of Government Efficiency will be made public online to maximize transparency. He later specified that he will list a “Most Ridiculous Taxpayer Expenditures” chart, calling it “both tragic and humorous.”
Vivek expressed on social media that they will solicit examples from the public regarding government waste, fraud, and abuse in order to collect more cost-saving suggestions. He emphasized that mild penalties towards bureaucratic organizations will not solve the root problems, stating that the only solution is extensive layoffs. He once suggested using social security numbers to lay off federal employees, for example, if your social security number ends in an odd number, you will be laid off, whereas if it ends in an even number, you will stay. This would halve the size of the government and avoid discrimination in employment termination.
However, according to Trump’s statement, the new department will provide recommendations from outside the government. This means that the “Department of Government Efficiency” is not an official department, not a government position, and is newly established. Both billionaires will work without pay and can continue working in private enterprises without Senate approval.
Interestingly, the department’s English name, Department of Government Efficiency, abbreviates to DOGE, which is exactly the name of the dogecoin that Musk has often mentioned in the past. This pun can also stimulate the investment market. Currently, dogecoin has become one of the biggest winners in the post-election rebound, growing by 153% since the election day, compared to bitcoin’s 30% increase. It is clear that the name DOGE for this new department is likely not a mere coincidence but another clever innovative design by Musk.
Financial blogger Laoman on the X platform said that if Musk manages to cut $2 trillion in government spending, he could win the Nobel Prize in Economics. The concept of efficiency auditing has been discussed in economic circles for many years and many models have been established, none of which have been successful. If he succeeds, he would be the fourth genius in human history after Newton, Harry White, and Reagan.
It is foreseeable that the plans proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency to reduce spending will encounter various obstacles and may trigger large-scale resistance. It could also face hurdles in Congress and even opposition within the Republican party.
In fact, similar “Departments of Government Efficiency” have precedents. In 1982, former US president Reagan established a separate expert panel to provide advice on how to eliminate inefficiency and waste. Later, he also set up a related committee to review institutions. The committee submitted a report with 2500 recommendations, but the vast majority of them were never implemented.
However, Musk is not an ordinary expert or scholar; he is all in when it comes to achieving his goals and will not give up until he succeeds. Additionally, the Republican party under Trump’s comprehensive governance controls the White House, Senate, House of Representatives, the Supreme Court, and more. We eagerly await to see how far the Department of Government Efficiency can go this time.
Furthermore, Trump has made a strong comeback to the White House, vowing to rebuild a powerful US military. During his campaign, he stated, “I want to completely rebuild our military,” and emphasized, “We will strengthen and modernize our military.”
On Tuesday (the 12th), Trump nominated media personality Pete Hegseth as the Secretary of Defense. Many in Washington are puzzled and incredulous, and reportedly, officials at the Pentagon privately questioned Hegseth’s qualifications.
However, Hegseth shares many views with Trump. Regarding the threat from the CCP, he said that the CCP is constructing a military “focused on defeating the United States.” “They (the CCP) have an all-encompassing, long-term perspective, not only to dominate regions but also the world… and we are not lifting our heads up.”
“One frightening aspect is that our Pentagon has a track record of complete loss in war games against China for the past 10 to 15 years, we fail every time because China is building a military with the purpose of defeating the United States.”
Currently, Trump’s transition team is considering an executive order that would establish a commission of retired senior officers known as the Warrior Committee empowered to review and recommend the dismissal of any generals and admirals found unfit for leadership roles.
A draft order seen by The Wall Street Journal shows that if Trump approves the order, it could lead to rapid dismissals of generals and admirals found to lack necessary leadership qualities.
Regarding Trump’s vow to rebuild the US military, Voice of America mentioned that there may be significant changes in the US’s global strategic deployment.
The US has provided strong military support for allies in conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Middle East conflict, however, this has exposed the vulnerability of the military-industrial complex. In July of this year, a report from the US National Defense Strategy Commission based on war games stated that in a conflict with China, the US would deplete its ammunition stores in three to four weeks, with some critical ammunition like anti-ship missiles lasting only a few days, and replenishing these stockpiles would take years.
The report warned, “Without significant changes, the balance of power will continue to shift in favor of China.”
In August of this year, during a speech at a Detroit National Guard meeting, Trump criticized the public release of such reports as foolish, stating: “I will take immediate action to restore our depleted military resources.”
Former National Security Advisor under the Trump administration Robert O’Brien suggested that the Pentagon should consider deploying the “entire Marine Corps” to the Pacific.
The Trump administration hopes to make significant adjustments to the US global strategic focus, particularly targeting the CCP.
On the Chinese side, the malicious car ramming incident at Zhuhai Sports Center on Monday has shocked both domestic and international audiences, as well as policymakers in Beijing. The CCP has taken a series of subsequent actions, but it may inadvertently worsen the situation.
Following the incident, Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang issued instructions, calling for “strengthening the prevention and control of risk sources, timely resolving conflicts, and strictly preventing extreme cases.”
On Wednesday (the 13th), the Beijing Municipal Committee held a meeting regarding the Zhuhai incident and stated that efforts will be made to ensure the capital’s security and stability by strengthening the prevention and control of risk sources and handling disputes.
On Thursday (the 14th), the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, Ying Yong, announced that the prosecution authorities would launch a “comprehensive investigation and survey of disputes” to prevent extreme incidents.
It is reported that Beijing has begun to compile information on rental activities of migrant population and investigate the situation of “floating children.” Ying Yong emphasized that prosecution authorities will conduct a “comprehensive investigation and survey of disputes” to prevent extreme incidents.
Local residents revealed that community security forces in various residential communities in Zhuhai have not only been strengthened but have also undertaken a comprehensive inspection of security risks. Authorities have specifically requested the registration and investigation of special groups within the community, with a focus on individuals known as “Four Nos” and “Five Losses.”
The term “Four Nos” refers to individuals without a spouse, children, employment or stable income, or property/assets; while “Five Losses” refer to those experiencing failed investments, unsuccessful lives, broken relationships, psychological imbalance, and mental abnormalities.
Community workers and grid staff have conducted household surveys to register individuals and enhance management of these groups.
Since Wednesday, screenshots from several WeChat groups in China have been circulating showing communities in Zhuhai counting “Four Nos” and “Five Losses” individuals.
Currently, many “xianzhong” incidents are caused by injustices in the judicial system. The CCP’s judiciary system has become so corrupt, leaving no space for justice for the common people. Instead of solving the root problems, the CCP is intensively monitoring and cracking down on the lower class citizens, adding more pressure to the already difficult lives. This inevitably reminds people of the mass expulsion of low-end population in Beijing led by Xi Jinping’s confidant and then-Beijing mayor Cai Qi in 2018. During the harsh winter, over 100,000 so-called “low-end population” living in suburban Beijing were forced out of their homes, causing extremely negative impacts both domestically and internationally.
Some netizens have questioned that a new era of human prevention 2.0 has begun, likening the CCP’s approach to preventive measures against spies or petitioners. This undoubtedly adds further hardship to the lives of already oppressed individuals.
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