President Donald Trump has outlined a new framework restricting Elon Musk's decision-making power within the federal administration. As the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has played a controversial role in personnel decisions, but moving forward, Cabinet secretaries will hold the final say.
Politico reported that in a Cabinet meeting, Trump set the tone for the administration's approach by articulating a more traditional distribution of decision-making power, reducing concerns of unilateral authority previously wielded by Musk.
This pivotal meeting took place on Thursday, as Trump and his Cabinet gathered to delineate the boundaries between the roles of Musk and those of the various cabinet officials.
Two senior figures within the administration emphasized that Musk's contributions would be limited to recommendations, with the ultimate prerogative residing with the secretaries.
Musk, present during these discussions, publicly signaled agreement with the President's decision to scale back his remit. This shift comes in the wake of extensive layoffs initiated by DOGE, as well as threats directed at public employees, which have sparked significant consternation.
Resistance to DOGE's recent actions has been pronounced among members of both parties, with some Democrats and Republicans alike voicing strong criticisms. Many have contended with the legality of the wide-scale dismissals, which have been scrutinized for potentially breaching civil service regulations.
In response to the turmoil, President Trump has moved to reinforce the advisory capacity of DOGE, leaving the decision-making power with the secretaries. Yet, there's uncertainty about whether this shift will bring about the rehiring of employees laid off as a result of the administration's recent strategies.
To safeguard against further instability, Trump announced plans for biweekly gatherings of the Cabinet, focusing on oversight concerning personnel choices.
Such developments aim to address apprehensions expressed by elements within the government, including remarks from Senate Majority Leader John Thune, which have added pressure on the administration to clarify the chain of command.
Judicial bodies have raised pointed questions about how the administration has communicated its restructuring intentions.
Trump's designation of Musk as the "head" of DOGE has come under scrutiny, particularly when weighed against prior courtroom arguments positing that Musk did not possess independent authority.
Lawsuits currently unfolding in the judiciary allege that Musk's position of power may breach constitutional boundaries, as he has not been confirmed by the Senate. As these cases progress through critical legal stages, Musk and other DOGE personnel have been compelled to provide sworn testimonies detailing the department's internal functioning.
The President addressed these legal themes by reiterating his vision for a refined workforce. “As the Secretaries learn about…and understand, the people working for the various departments, they can be very precise as to who will remain,” he conveyed, implying a tailored, rather than a broad, approach to employment cuts.
Reiterating his approach, Trump commented: “We say the ‘scalpel’ rather than the ‘hatchet’.” This metaphor was intended to capture his administration’s strategy for thoughtful efficiency reforms led by Musk, DOGE, and other officials.
Behind closed doors, Trump elaborated on his expectation that Cabinet members could make informed choices regarding staffing.
He assured that his door was open to secretaries wishing to retain “everybody that you need,” signaling a commitment to maintaining essential federal workforce members.
Despite these assurances, Trump acknowledged the need for trimming inefficiencies. “If they can cut, it’s better. And if they don’t cut, then Elon will do the cutting,” he mentioned, highlighting an ongoing focus on reducing government bloat.
In his reflection on the meeting, Musk described the discussions with Trump as “very productive,” expressing reconciliation with the new directives. This statement was made alongside a retweet showcasing a previous Trump proclamation on the issue.
