To add to this: specifically regarding random firings and loopholes. Every marginal dollar spend on the IRS brings in $5 to $9 in return to the government [*]. Yet they are firing IRS agents. More generally, we know, and the government knows, how to reduce the deficit because the CBO offers options regularly [%]. All of the big ticket items require some kind of healthcare cuts, which are all not fun. Note that they do not have any suggestions for cutting any part of USAID. The biggest saver would be "Eliminate or Limit Itemized Deductions".

[*]: https://www.cbo.gov/publication/57444

[%]: https://www.cbo.gov/publication/60557