Trump Limits Musk’s Role in Govt Job Cuts amid GOP Backlash/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump clarified that final staffing decisions in federal agencies will be made by Cabinet members, not Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While Trump continues to support Musk’s cost-cutting initiatives, he emphasized a “scalpel, not hatchet” approach. The move follows backlash from lawmakers, lawsuits, and voter anxiety over aggressive government downsizing. Musk will still step in if Cabinet members fail to make sufficient cuts, Trump warned.
Trump Limits Musk’s Federal Workforce Cuts: Quick Look
- Trump’s New Directive
- Cabinet members, not Musk, will decide on staffing changes.
- DOGE will assist with cost-cutting but not make final decisions.
- Backlash Against DOGE’s Rapid Downsizing
- Mass layoffs spark lawsuits, voter unrest, and GOP concerns.
- Congressional Republicans demand more transparency from Musk’s department.
- Musk’s Response
- Describes Trump’s meeting as “very productive”.
- Met privately with Senate Republicans to ease concerns.
- Trump’s Balancing Act
- Praises Musk’s efforts while ensuring job cuts remain strategic.
- Warns that if agencies fail to cut costs, Musk will intervene.
Deep Look: Trump Reins in Musk’s Federal Workforce Cuts Amid Growing Backlash
Trump Clarifies Musk’s Role in Government Restructuring
In a high-stakes meeting at the White House on Thursday, President Donald Trump instructed his Cabinet secretaries that staffing decisions will be left to them, not Elon Musk or DOGE.
“We just had a meeting with most of the Secretaries, Elon, and others, and it was a very positive one,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“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.”
Trump assured his Cabinet members that they would have final authority over who stays and who goes, emphasizing a targeted “scalpel” approach rather than indiscriminate cuts.
“As the Secretaries learn about, and understand, the people working for the various Departments, they can be very precise as to who will remain, and who will go,” Trump added.
Elon Musk and Marco Rubio fight in cabinet meeting?
Trump has firmly denied reports of a heated exchange between billionaire Elon Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a recent closed-door Cabinet meeting. Speaking to reporters, Trump claimed that the meeting was “completely harmonious” and dismissed any allegations of a confrontation. However, sources indicate that Musk and Rubio had a tense discussion regarding the operations of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk leads.
According to various sources, including The New York Times, the disagreement began when Musk criticized Rubio for not implementing significant staff reductions at the State Department. Musk allegedly accused Rubio of not firing “anyone,” aside from a minor official from DOGE. In response, Rubio highlighted a recent wave of early retirements at the department and sarcastically questioned whether he should rehire employees just to let them go again.
Trump, however, dismissed the idea of any conflict, stating, “Elon gets along great with Marco.” He further downplayed the reports as exaggerated and scolded an NBC reporter who inquired about the meeting, labeling him a “troublemaker.”
Why is Rubio concerned about Musk’s influence?
Reports suggest that Rubio has been increasingly frustrated with Musk’s growing influence over government decisions, especially regarding budget cuts. The tension between them has reportedly been escalating for months. Rubio, who oversees agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has voiced concerns that Musk’s methods are too extreme. Sources indicate that Rubio was already unhappy with Musk’s management of USAID, which experienced significant budget cuts due to DOGE’s restructuring efforts.
DOGE’s Workforce Cuts Face Political and Public Pushback
While Trump and Musk remain aligned on reducing government spending, DOGE’s rapid downsizing has triggered intense backlash:
- Federal employees fired en masse with little explanation.
- Congressional Republicans blindsided by the scale of reductions.
- Town halls flooded with voter outrage over agency closures.
“We cannot stand by and accept a yearlong power grab CR that would help Elon take a chainsaw to programs that families rely on,” said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.
Musk Defends His Role, Meets with Congress
In response to the growing political pressure, Musk met behind closed doors with Senate Republicans for nearly two hours on Wednesday.
“We spoke about the opportunity to improve expenditures in the government,” Musk told reporters after the meeting.
The White House has maintained its support for Musk’s work, with Trump calling DOGE a “support function” to help federal agencies find a 15% reduction in fraud and waste.
Trump’s Balancing Act: Control vs. Cost Cutting
While Trump moved to clarify Musk’s role, he also reaffirmed his commitment to downsizing the federal government.
At a press briefing, Trump praised Musk’s efforts while making it clear that final job cuts rest with Cabinet leaders—unless they fail to act.
“If they can cut, it’s better. If they don’t cut, then Elon will do the cutting,” Trump warned.
This power shift signals a recalibration—not a retreat—in Trump’s government overhaul strategy. By giving agency heads more control, he hopes to ease congressional concerns while keeping Musk’s aggressive cost-cutting mission alive.
What’s Next?
- Cabinet leaders will reassess staffing within their agencies.
- Musk will monitor agency compliance and step in if needed.
- Congressional Republicans may push for more oversight of DOGE.
As Trump and Musk continue reshaping the federal government, the political and economic fallout remains uncertain.
