Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett is facing backlash for her stance against distributing $5,000 checks in DOGE to Americans, especially considering her past support for reparations.
Musk’s Plan for DOGE Dividends Sparks Debate
Elon Musk, who runs the Department of Government Efficiency, recently threw his support behind the idea of issuing DOGE dividends to U.S. taxpayers.
This plan stems from the $55 billion in savings the department claims to have achieved by cutting government waste.
James Fishback, CEO of the investment firm Azoria, initially proposed that 20% of these savings—if Musk successfully meets his goal of cutting $2 trillion in federal spending—be distributed among the 79 million taxpayers in the country.
If this proposal goes through, Americans could receive checks of $5,000.
Trump’s Potential Endorsement Raises Questions
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump suggested that he might consider using 20% of the savings from the DOGE program to provide direct payments to Americans.
Additionally, another 20% could be allocated to help pay down the national debt, which is currently around $36 trillion.
With Trump signaling his potential endorsement of the idea, Crockett was questioned about her thoughts on redistributing the savings from DOGE.
Crockett’s Dismissal of the DOGE Plan Stirs Controversy
The Texas Democrat dismissed the idea of giving out refunds to Americans, arguing that it would be ineffective.
She claimed that Congress would not approve such a proposal because of budget constraints and warned that the country is headed toward a recession.
Crockett also pointed out that the $5,000 checks might not do much for people struggling to find employment.
To make her point, she referenced the $1,200 COVID-19 stimulus checks from the CARES Act, which she said Trump had little to do with.
Social Media Backlash for Crockett’s Comments
Her comments quickly sparked outrage online, with critics accusing her of hypocrisy, especially since she has advocated for reparations for descendants of enslaved Americans.
Right-wing commentator Nick Sortor pointed out on social media that Crockett has spent years calling for reparations, yet she was dismissing the idea of giving $5,000 to struggling Americans.
Many others chimed in, emphasizing that $5,000 could make a significant difference for many people who are facing financial hardships.
Crockett’s History of Supporting Reparations
Crockett has been vocal in her support for reparations for Black Americans.
In January 2023, she joined over 130 other Democrats to co-sponsor a bill that would establish a commission to explore the idea.
However, she did not support a symbolic bill introduced by former Representative Cori Bush that would have recognized the U.S. government’s “moral and legal obligation” to provide reparations.
Crockett has also expressed support for the idea of eliminating taxes for Black Americans as a form of compensation for the legacy of slavery.
The Real Value of the DOGE Dividends
While Musk’s department claims that $55 billion has been saved by eliminating government fraud and costly contracts, the actual payout to Americans from this fund would be much smaller than the proposed $5,000.
Based on the current savings, each American taxpayer would only receive around $139.
However, if the savings were to grow significantly, the proposed checks could become a much larger and more impactful financial relief for taxpayers.
Criticism of Crockett’s Stance on DOGE and Reparations
Critics argue that Crockett’s dismissal of the DOGE dividends highlights a deeper issue: the contrast between her call for reparations for historical injustices and her reluctance to provide immediate financial relief to Americans in need.
Supporters of the DOGE plan believe that $5,000 could go a long way toward helping people struggling financially, but Crockett’s opposition suggests a prioritization of long-term policies over short-term relief efforts.
Final Thoughts on the DOGE Proposal and Crockett’s Response
As the debate over the distribution of DOGE dividends continues, Crockett’s comments serve as a reminder of the ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party about how best to address economic inequality.
While some see reparations as a necessary step for addressing past wrongs, others believe that immediate financial assistance, like the DOGE checks, could provide much-needed relief in the present.