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The president Donald Trump announced that decisions regarding staff cuts in the federal government will be made by his cabinet secretaries and not by Elon Musk or the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Trump clarified on Truth Social that while his administration will continue to work with Musk and DOGE on reducing expenses and workforce, the leaders of each department will have the final say on which employees will remain in their positions.
"We just had a meeting with most of the secretaries, Elon, and others, and it was very positive," Trump wrote. "It is very important that we reduce the levels to where they should be, but it is also important to keep the best and most productive people."
The president emphasized that the dismissal process must be precise: "We say 'scalpel' instead of 'axe'," referring to the need for selective rather than blanket cuts.
The drastic cuts driven by DOGE have generated criticism within Trump's cabinet, as well as labor lawsuits and concern among Republican lawmakers, who have faced voter backlash in their districts.
Some cabinet secretaries were upset when Musk ordered federal employees to justify their work or face dismissal. Several agencies initially rejected this directive.
Despite the controversy, Trump praised Musk and DOGE, stating that "they have done an incredible job" in optimizing government spending.
Musk, for his part, described the meeting with Trump as "very productive," reiterating that DOGE is a "support function" to reduce fraud and waste in the government.
Trump and Musk's plan aims to drastically reduce federal bureaucracy by eliminating thousands of jobs and closing agencies. Recently, the layoffs of 2,000 employees from the United States Forest Service were announced; 1,000 positions in the National Park Service and cuts at NOAA, which are expected to affect 1,300 workers.
The speed and intensity of these measures have raised concerns in Congress, particularly among Republicans who are demanding greater transparency in the work of DOGE. Some expressed their discontent to the White House Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles.
While Trump has limited Musk's power over layoffs, he made it clear that DOGE will continue to intervene if department heads do not make sufficient cuts.
"If you can make cuts, that's better. If you don't make cuts, then Elon will do the cutting," the leader warned.
Tension between the cabinet, Congress, and DOGE continues to rise as the administration moves forward with one of the largest reorganizations of the federal government in modern United States history.
Frequently Asked Questions about Workforce Reductions in the U.S. Government under the Trump and Musk Administrations
Why has Trump limited Musk's authority in government staff cuts?
Trump has limited Musk's authority to calm internal criticisms and concerns about the impact of the massive cuts driven by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Despite this, Musk and DOGE will remain involved if department heads fail to adequately reduce staff.
What is the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and who is in charge of it?
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is an entity created to reduce bureaucracy and government spending in the U.S. It is led by Elon Musk and aims to implement significant structural reforms, including massive staff cuts and the elimination of regulations deemed unnecessary.
What impact have personnel cuts had on specific federal agencies?
The cuts have impacted thousands of employees across various federal agencies, including the Forest Service, the National Park Service, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These layoffs have raised concerns about air safety and the effectiveness of public services, in addition to eliciting negative reactions from unions and lawmakers.
How have lawmakers and unions reacted to the cuts driven by Musk and Trump?
The cuts have been met with criticism and concern from unions and lawmakers, who warn that they could undermine the functioning of agencies and safety in critical sectors such as aviation. Furthermore, the transparency and legality of some adopted measures have been called into question.
What additional measures has Trump considered to manage the savings generated by DOGE?
Trump has proposed returning part of the savings generated by the DOGE to citizens, suggesting that 20% of these savings be given to taxpayers and another 20% towards paying off the national debt. This proposal still requires Congressional approval.
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