Tim Burchett, a Republican representative from Tennesse, spoke to Fox News Business to explain the corruption unearthed by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In the clip, which was posted to X on March 13, 2025, he told Dagan McDowell that Democrats are worried about Musk because they have something to hide.
He said that many politicians are taking money directly out of taxpayers’ pockets and advocated for jailing representatives for corruption. As an example, he said that some congressmen are using programs like USAID to fund their own campaigns and pay their friends and family.
Tim Burchett began his remarks by explaining the hysterical reaction to Musk. He said, “And all you’re seeing right now is the graft, and that’s why the left is pitching such a fit because Elon Musk very bravely has stated there is a paper trail, and it will lead us to where this is. And you know good and well that that stuff’s going to go right out of the American taxpayers’ back pocket, right into the pockets of politicians.”
He added that the scale of corruption has grown in recent years. He said, “In the past, we’ve seen it go into campaigns. That’s been documented through some other funding sources. But now you’re going to say some people should go to jail and possibly members of Congress.”
The Fox Business host asked a clarifying question to the conservative firebrand. She said, “So possibly members of Congress, because what the suspicion is is that these, the money is going out of the government under Democrat run administrations, and it could be getting recycled back in campaign donations. Do you have evidence for why members of Congress should go to jail?”
He confidently replied, “Well, if they’re involved in it, and if their family members are profiting from it, then your da-gum right, they should. Absolutely.” The comments section agreed with his argument and expressed their support for the principled Republican.
Watch the clip here:
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One user said, “Members of Congress should go to prison if they Profited off USAID Money. This isn’t debatable…corruption needs to be dealt with an iron fist.” Another reply read, “I would bet that we wouldn’t have life long politicians if they had to only live on their salaries and couldn’t profit off of insider trading it would be a win win for the rest of America.”
One user reacted, “We need to find out just how many of our representatives have been compromised in this way. And who it is that seeks to sabotage or benefit from such criminality!” Another comment said, “We cannot allow the Swamp on and out of DC to exist. I say look into everyone in America. We have some bad people committing crimes and they are our neighbors. Safety First”
Featured image from embedded video