Trump Asserts Cabinet Control Over Staffing Decisions

According to a report from NBC, President Donald Trump informed his Cabinet secretaries during a meeting on Thursday that they will have the final say on staffing decisions, not Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Trump reportedly instructed Cabinet members and DOGE to team up and work on spending and workforce reductions. However, he clarified that final job cuts will happen at the discretion of the department leaders.

President Trump’s New Mandate Regarding DOGE

“We just had a meeting with most of the Secretaries, Elon, and others, and it was a very positive one,” Trump shared 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 conveyed his position that secretaries will actively work to understand the roles of individuals in their departments to decide who will stay or be let go. “We say the ‘scalpel’ rather than the ‘hatchet,’” Trump stated.

This message marks the first occasion that Trump has publicly limited Musk’s authority while he assists in reorganizing the federal government. Some view it as an early indication of tension between DOGE and Cabinet members.

Several Cabinet members expressed dissatisfaction with Musk’s recent directive requiring federal employees to outline their weekly achievements or face termination, leading multiple agencies and departments to initially resist.

While Trump’s new message appears to address some concerns regarding Musk’s approaches, he also commended both Musk and DOGE for their achievements thus far.

“I think they’ve done an amazing job,” the president told reporters. Musk also labeled the meeting as “very productive” in a post on X, marking his second appearance at a Trump Cabinet meeting.

In his first cabinet meeting with Trump last month, Musk described DOGE as a “support function” aimed at helping federal agencies “find a 15% reduction in fraud and waste.”

In recent weeks, DOGE has encountered considerable backlash from federal workers, unions, and progressive groups impacted by its policies. This mounting discontent likely prompted the president to intervene and rein in the agency’s authority.

Musk Still Has a Huge Role to Play

As per Trump’s remarks to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, he instructed his Cabinet members to “Keep all the people you want, all the people that you need.”

This directive likely aims to appease his disgruntled Cabinet members who have been increasingly at odds with DOGE, particularly regarding employment decisions. Despite reducing Musk’s influence, he is still poised to play a significant role.

Trump indicated that Musk will take action if department heads fail to implement sufficient cuts.

“If they can cut, it’s better. If they don’t cut, then Elon will do the cutting,” Trump stated.

The Trump administration has worked towards drastically reducing the federal workforce, resulting in the termination of thousands of employees and the closure of several agencies.

Challenges for DOGE and the Need for Transparency

As mentioned earlier, the rapid pace of cuts has caused discomfort among some Republican members of Congress, sparking demands for enhanced transparency into DOGE’s operations, especially after lawmakers faced backlash at town halls.

In an effort to calm the waters, DOGE not only has to manage government excesses but must also address constituents’ concerns. Musk even had a closed-door meeting with Senate Republicans to discuss worries about potential voter backlash related to the cuts.

Perception of DOGE’s Effectiveness

Sentiments about DOGE remain divided. While a CBS News/YouGov poll indicates that slim majorities support Musk’s involvement in reducing the federal workforce, many see DOGE’s work as contentious.

Musk claimed that DOGE has high “approval” among the general public, despite criticism. Supporters laud the agency’s reported savings of $105 billion; however, skepticism persists regarding the veracity of these figures. Misleading claims about savings have contributed to the negative perception of the agency.