'Out of control': Red state Republican slams Trump-Musk overreach

22 February

FILE PHOTO: Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; President-elect Donald Trump talks with Elon Musk (right) during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory

An Ohio Republican Rep. said President Donald Trump’s executive orders are “getting out of control” Thursday, the Columbus Dispatch reported. Rep. Troy Balderson (R-Ohio) emphasized that there are some actions that only Congress can carry out.

He made the comments at a Westerville Area Chamber business luncheon.

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

The Trump administration has promised to shut down the Education Department, leaving workers unsure of their status.

The Dispatch’s Samantha Hendrickson reported: “While the Zanesville native said he respects Trump and the need for executive orders, and that the executive branch has every right to look into government agencies like those dealing with education and Medicaid, ‘Congress has to do their work.’”

Balderson also addressed fears that Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid could be cut. He said that these programs will not be completely eliminated, but that changes to Medicare and Medicaid are possible as Republicans in Congress decide on legislation that would allow for Trump’s tax cuts. Trump has promised not to touch these programs, but he also endorsed the Republican legislation.

The topic has particular salience in his home state. “In Ohio, state representatives are considering a measure in the budget that would repeal Medicaid expansion funding if the federal medical assistance is below 90%. If federal cuts are made, roughly 770,000 Ohioans, including children, could lose coverage,” Hendrickson writes.

"I don't want the whole fear thing to start," Balderson said. "We've got to look at what we can do to make sure we provide the necessary care. No one wants to take an unprivileged child off of health care. Nobody. We want to make sure that they stay on... but how do they stay on and it be fiscally responsible for them to stay on?"

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