The Department of Government Efficiency has saved taxpayers an estimated $55 billion through their work so far, and they have asked for the public’s help in identifying where more waste, fraud, and abuse can be identified. This has triggered a number of suggestions, including one supported by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).
The Republican senator said he has been trying to see the gold reserves at Fort Knox for a decade to no avail, and supported the idea of DOGE taking a look.
Surely it’s reviewed at least every year?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 15, 2025
Nope. Let’s do it. https://t.co/4sgVpaCwwz
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) February 16, 2025
According to a fact sheet from the U.S. Mint, there are 147.3 million ounces of gold at Fort Knox, which is about half of the Treasury's stored gold. The only gold removed has been to test its purity "during regularly scheduled audits" but no gold has been transferred to or from Fort Knox "for many years," the Mint claims.
"The actual structure and content of the facility is known by only a few, and no one person knows all the procedures to open the vault," the U.S. Mint says.
During an interview on Fox News, Paul argued the more transparency, the better.
"And also, it brings attention to the fact that gold still has value and implicitly, not explicitly, but implicitly, gold still gives value to the dollar," he added.
Rand Paul says he's been trying for (10) yrs to see the gold at Fort Knox
— @Chicago1Ray 🇺🇸 (@Chicago1Ray) February 18, 2025
Had an appt but the Treasury Sec wanted to come during the eclipse, so he didn't see it
He says Mitch McConnell told him it's all there
WHICH TELLS ME WE NEED DOGE IN THERE
pic.twitter.com/AGaqHk0FLV
Paul's frustration was shared by his colleague, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), who has been denied access to Fort Knox.
As a U.S. senator I’ve tried repeatedly to get into Fort Knox
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) February 17, 2025
Fort Knox: “You can’t come to Fort Knox.”
Me: “Why?”
Fort Knox: “It’s a military installation.”
Me: “I’m a senator; I go to military bases all the time.”
Fort Knox: “You still can’t come. Because, you can’t.” https://t.co/3V2jlU4SNX
Who is confirming that gold wasn’t stolen from Fort Knox?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 17, 2025
Maybe it’s there, maybe it’s not.
That gold is owned by the American public! We want to know if it’s still there. https://t.co/aEBXK1CfD6
Paul's father, former Rep. Ron Paul, called for an audit years ago.
Throwback to @RonPaul wanting to audit Fort Knox: pic.twitter.com/O2A8MDaJd0
— Natalie F Danelishen (@Chesschick01) February 17, 2025