WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has reassured his cabinet members that they, not billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, hold the final authority over staffing decisions and policy at their respective agencies, a source familiar with the matter disclosed.
During a high-level meeting on Thursday, Trump emphasized that Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) serves an advisory role only. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, present in the room, reportedly agreed with Trump’s directive, signaling an apparent shift in the administration’s approach to federal job cuts.
Backlash Over DOGE’s Rapid Workforce Reductions
The meeting was convened following growing complaints from agency heads and Republican lawmakers, many of whom have faced backlash from their constituents over mass layoffs within the federal workforce. The White House Office of Legislative Affairs has reportedly been flooded with calls from frustrated officials across the country.
Trump, however, defended Musk’s aggressive cost-cutting measures. “I want the numbers, but I also want to keep the good people,” he told reporters in the Oval Office following the meeting.
The president reiterated this sentiment on his Truth Social platform, stating: “It’s very important that we cut levels down to where they should be, but it’s also important to keep the best and most productive people. We say ‘scalpel’ rather than ‘hatchet.’”
A Shift in Trump’s Tone Toward Musk’s Influence
The latest cabinet meeting marked a notable shift in Trump’s stance on Musk’s role in the administration. Just last week, Musk was given free rein to deliver a monologue on DOGE during the first full cabinet meeting, with Trump jokingly asking, “Is anybody unhappy with Elon?” to scattered laughter.
However, Musk’s drastic moves—including the termination of over 100,000 federal employees from the 2.3 million-strong workforce—have sparked widespread anxiety among government workers. Reports indicate that some agencies have scrambled to rehire essential personnel in critical sectors such as nuclear weapons security and bird flu research.
Musk’s approach has also led to legal battles, with more than 30 lawsuits filed by labor unions and advocacy groups challenging DOGE’s sweeping layoffs and canceled government contracts.
Controversial Management Style Adds to Confusion
Further controversy erupted when Musk unexpectedly sent an email to all federal employees, demanding they submit a list of their weekly accomplishments. He warned on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that failure to respond would be considered a resignation.
The move created widespread confusion, with some agencies instructing employees to comply, while others told their staff the demand was optional. Reuters reported that White House aides have been struggling to manage growing internal disputes following Musk’s ultimatum.
Despite these tensions, Trump remains supportive of Musk’s efficiency push, previously endorsing the tech mogul’s symbolic chainsaw stunt at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last month to represent aggressive government cuts.
With mounting pressure from lawmakers, legal challenges, and a concerned federal workforce, it remains to be seen how the Trump administration will balance cost-cutting measures with maintaining essential government operations.
