U.S. Deficit Crisis: Ex-RNC Chair Claims Spending on Debt Outpaces National Security

By Sam Barron | Friday, January 16, 2026

North Carolina Senate Republican candidate Michael Whatley said on Friday that the national deficit is one of the biggest threats America faces.

“We are actually paying more every year to service our deficit than we are on national security,” Whatley, who previously served as Republican National Committee chair, said during an interview on “Carl Higbie: FRONTLINE.”

“It’s an economic threat,” he added. “It’s a national security threat. And we have got to get our fiscal house in order.”

Whatley emphasized the need for major reforms and praised efforts like the Department of Governmental Efficiency to help reduce waste in the federal government and combat fraud.

“We need to use that reconciliation process to make true reforms that are going to make sure that we get our financial house in order,” he said.

When asked about recent developments, Whatley noted the significance of the Department of Governmental Efficiency’s (DOGE) work. “When you look at what Elon Musk brought to this administration out of the gate with DOGE, it was absolutely critical for not just what they found, but the process by which they found it and truly going at the fraud that was pervasive throughout the government,” he added.

Whatley also called for a more aggressive approach: “We need to do more. We need to get that process back up and running and very aggressively.”

He suggested that similar reforms could be needed at the state level, referencing Minnesota’s recent fraud cases: “What are the federal funds that are going out to these states being spent for?” he asked. “Make sure they’re not going out in suitcases through the Minneapolis Airport.”