Tensions on Capitol Hill escalated Wednesday as Reps. Judy Chu (D-CA) and Gwen Moore (D-WI) entered Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-LA) office uninvited, interrupting his meeting with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to demand answers regarding the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its role in reviewing government spending. The encounter, which some described as "unhinged" and "aggressive", has sparked debate over procedural norms and the Democrats' growing opposition to DOGE's oversight operations. According to a report from Axios, the two congresswomen arrived at Johnson's office seeking information on DOGE staffers allegedly accessing Treasury data. While they were allowed to enter and speak with Johnson, Bessent was not in the room during their exchange. Chu later told reporters that she and Moore only spoke with the House Speaker, not the Treasury Secretary himself. Moore criticized Bessent's absence, claiming he was "sent out the back door just like the data", while also expressing concern that Johnson himself was still "trying to find out" what DOGE was doing. The Louisiana Republican reportedly responded that he was seeking further details about Treasury oversight under DOGE, prompting Moore to say she found it "very distressing" that even the Speaker of the House was unclear on the situation. A source who witnessed the exchange described the congresswomen's behavior as "incredibly rude, extremely aggressive, and frankly unhinged", adding that Johnson remained composed and allowed them to voice their concerns. In contrast, a spokesperson for Chu, Graeme Crews, denied any impropriety, stating that the congresswomen had "politely joined the meeting" and that the Speaker had "invited her in for a brief, civil discussion."
Despite this, the nature of the interruption has drawn attention across the political spectrum. Rep. Linda S?nchez (D-CA) voiced her support for Chu and Moore in a post on X, where she claimed they had been subjected to "sexist" and "racist" tropes by those describing them as "rude" and "aggressive." S?nchez defended their actions, stating that "the American people deserve answers" regarding Musk's role in government oversight.
Media outlets also weighed in on the confrontation. The Daily Beast, a left-leaning publication, framed the incident as Democrats "storming" Johnson's office, while CNN's Sarah Ferris reported that the congresswomen had "forced their way in". The framing from these sources has led to further scrutiny of the tactics employed by Chu and Moore, as well as the broader Democratic strategy in challenging DOGE's authority. Following the meeting, Moore and Chu addressed reporters outside Johnson's office, stating that they were denied access to Bessent and accusing the administration of concealing information. Moore suggested that Bessent had been "snuck in the same way they're stealing our data", reinforcing Democratic concerns over potential misuse of Treasury information by DOGE. Elon Musk, whose Department of Government Efficiency has been tasked with analyzing government expenditures and identifying waste, responded directly to the claims. In a post on X, Musk stated that DOGE has "not looked at, nor is there any interest in, private financial data", adding, "What would we even do with it?" He further clarified that the department's primary function is to "review potential fraud and wasteful spending to organizations", suggesting that "corrupt politicians" are the ones raising concerns. Speaker Johnson also addressed the controversy during his Wednesday press conference, calling Democratic concerns "misinformation and overreaction" while defending Trump and Musk's government efficiency efforts. As debates over
DOGE's role and transparency continue, the dispute highlights deepening political divisions over government oversight and spending reforms.
