A Republican strategist lashed out at a fellow panelist Tuesday afternoon on CNN who interrupted his assertion that voters don't want a "scalpel" when it comes to cutting the federal government — they want a "sledgehammer."
Scott Jennings, who worked in the George W. Bush administration as special assistant to the president and deputy director of political affairs and served on four presidential campaigns, joined CNN's "The Situation Room" on Tuesday to discuss the Department of Government Efficiency. The Trump administration's initiative is tasked with slashing trillions out of the federal budget.
Blitzer asked Jennings if the administration risks "overstepping" with its effort, but Jennings doubled down.
"I don't think they're at risk of overstepping with the American people, I think part of the election was the American people actually asking for a sledgehammer to the federal government," he said, drawing a frown from fellow panelist Lulu Garcia-Navarro, a New York Times podcast host.
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Jennings pointed to distrust in and dissatisfaction with the government.
"With all due respect, I don't think voters are wanting a scalpel. I do think they're wanting larger implements like a sledgehammer or a chainsaw —" he said.
Before Jennings could finish, Garcia-Navarro butt in.
"I think that's no longer true, Scott," she interjected, pointing to recent polling on Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE.
"I gotta be —" an exasperated Jennings began. "Yeah, and Donald Trump has a better-than-50-percent approval rating. I have seen the polling."
As Garcia-Navarro continued, Jennings snapped.
"You know what I love about you, Lulu? Is that you get to say what you want to say, then you gotta say what you think I ought to say. Why don't you just let me finish my point here?"
Jennings repeated a popular MAGA talking point that Americans didn't vote to keep things the "status quo." Musk and his team represent that "complete deviation," he said.
Jennings later clashed with Democratic strategist Alencia Johnson, as she raised national security concerns that Musk is "unelected" and "unconfirmed" and in top secret meetings.
Jennings insisted Biden had White House staffers as well who were not elected.
Johnson tried to rebut that Musk has far more power than a typical staffer, but Jennings continued talking over her.
"To call him unelected is like the most naive and ridiculous talking point I've ever heard!"
