Kim Reynolds is all in for Trump and DOGE

Gov. Kim Reynolds likes to say Iowa was DOGE before DOGE was a thing. Maybe it will become our new state slogan.

DOGE stands for the federal Department of Government Efficiency, headed by billionaire Elon Musk. Musk and minions have run roughshod over federal agencies. Chopping, firing and eliminating. The Republican-controlled Congress is sitting on its hands while watching DOGE yank laws it passed out by the roots. It is concentrating a lot more power in Donald Trump’s White House.

When Reynolds invokes DOGE, she’s talking about her efforts to reorganize state government in Iowa. If it seems like only yesterday, that’s because it happened in 2023 and 2024.

Reynolds says her effort eliminated 1,200 “burdensome” regulations, unified IT systems, eliminated a bunch of boards and commissions and consolidated executive branch agencies. The governor contends the changes saved $217 million. More money for tax cuts! It also concentrated a lot more power in the governor’s office.

She touted Iowa’s reorganization while appearing before a congressional committee in February. “Not only do I believe Iowa is a model, but I’m committed to doing everything I can to help in the months ahead, and I look forward to working with you in the Trump administration to do just that.”

Numerous states, mostly red, have set up state-level, DOGE-like entities. They’re an homage to Trump. Republicans must keep praising Trump’s chaos or risk failing out of favor with dear leader. See, Mr. President, look what we did!

Maybe Trump put the list of state DOGEs on the White House refrigerator adorned with a sticker saying, “Well Done!”

This week, Reynolds’ Iowa DOGE Task Force met for the first time. It’s a 16-member group dominated by captains of business, masters of technology and, of course, Republicans. Some large Reynolds campaign donors are on the task force.

Terry Lutz, who heads McClure Engineering, donated $20,000 to Reynolds since 2019. Sherri Lutz, who lives at the same address as Terry, according to campaign finance records, gave Reynolds $25,000.

David Spalding, dean of the college of business at Iowa State University, also donated $25,000 to Reynolds’ campaign. Other members are smaller GOP donors.

It’s an accomplished group, to be sure. But what will it accomplish?

Members have goals, and teams and a timeline. They’re going to create tangible results while thinking about sustainability. But will they circle back and touch base? Will they think outside the box, or go for low-hanging fruit? What about bandwidth, and synergies?

Sorry, got caught in a buzzword loop.

Reynolds likely has some ideas. Those ideas will miraculously make it into the task force recommendations. Members may identify some other efficiencies and savings, despite the fact that Republicans have controlled the Statehouse for nearly 10 years.

Reynolds, her support for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president now forgotten, is back to being the Trumpiest governor she can be. She even praised the president’s tariffs, the ones destabilizing the world economy and threatening to harm Iowa farmers and manufacturers.

“President Trump is using tariffs as leverage — to force our trading partners to the table and put America’s farmers first,” Reynolds said in a statement on Liberation Day.

We don’t have a governor who speaks up for Iowans. If you’re a medical researcher who lost funding, a library director who may be forced to close by cuts or a farmer waiting on the USDA to pay money owed for conservation, tough darts.

Because we must please the king. Big smiles everyone, big smiles. Think North Korea.

(319) 398-8262; todd.dorman@thegazette.com