Former Democratic presidential candidate Dean Phillips has criticized his party's efforts to obstruct Elon Musk's audits of government agencies. Musk, the billionaire head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has initiated investigations into government spending, drawing protests from liberal lawmakers. 

In a CNN interview, Phillips acknowledged that Democrats are being "overwhelmed" by Musk's actions. He suggested that the party should collaborate with DOGE instead of resisting its initiatives. Phillips argued that by participating, Democrats could influence DOGE's strategy and address potential constitutional concerns more effectively.

Democratic lawmakers have opposed DOGE since its establishment by President Trump last month. The agency aims to improve government efficiency and productivity. DOGE has initiated audits of agencies like USAID and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to identify wasteful spending. 

Democratic figures have protested DOGE's actions, accusing Musk of violating the Constitution. Phillips conceded that their approach has been ineffective, as Musk leverages his platform, X (formerly Twitter), to garner public support for DOGE.

Phillips expressed concern about the lack of accountability for Musk, who answers only to President Trump. He believes Democrats should engage with DOGE to exert influence and address potential constitutional issues, rather than simply protesting. He warned that the current approach is not working and compared it to "the boy who cried wolf."