Trump Says Cabinet Secretaries are In Charge of Staff Cuts, Not Elon Musk and DOGE

Source: YouTube

Elon Musk’s oversight of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has sparked confusion across federal agencies. His aggressive firings have left many government employees unsure of their job status, as some were dismissed only to be reinstated days later. The disorder forced President Trump to step in, clarifying that Musk could only advise on staffing decisions, not execute them unilaterally. However, Trump’s earlier statements about Musk’s control over DOGE complicated matters and raised questions about the billionaire’s legal authority.

Confusion on Government Firings Create Bureaucratic Chaos

Since Musk’s involvement with DOGE, mass firings have shaken the federal workforce. Employees received termination notices, only to be asked to return days later. Agencies struggled to keep track of who was in or out, leaving critical projects in limbo. The turmoil extended to departments like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which had to reinstate 180 employees after chaotic dismissals. Similar reversals occurred at the National Science Foundation and the Department of Agriculture.

These firings prompted legal challenges. A federal judge recently ruled that many of the dismissals lacked proper justification and likely violated civil service protections. The Trump administration faced mounting pressure to clarify DOGE’s role before the chaos led to a full-scale legal crisis.

Does Trump’s Directive Limit Elon Musk’s Power to Fire Government Workers?

Trump convened a meeting with his Cabinet secretaries, stating that department heads—not Musk—would have the final say on personnel decisions. The president’s message was clear: agency leaders must be the ones to initiate staffing changes, using a “scalpel” approach rather than Musk’s sweeping cuts.

However, Trump’s own words during a recent speech to Congress had added to the confusion. He referred to Musk as the “head” of DOGE, a statement that directly contradicted legal arguments his administration had been making in court. Government lawyers had repeatedly denied Musk’s authority to dictate policy, but Trump’s remarks put them in a difficult position.

By shifting power back to the Cabinet, Trump attempted to course-correct, though his comments still left Musk with significant influence. If department heads refused to make cuts, Trump stated, Musk would step in to “do the cutting.” This suggests that, despite the directive, Musk remains a key force in shaping the federal workforce.

Legal and Political Ramifications of DOGE Firings

The battle over DOGE’s authority is far from over. Several lawsuits challenging Musk’s role are reaching critical stages. Judges have already expressed skepticism over the administration’s shifting explanations. If courts determine that Musk has been unlawfully exercising power over staffing decisions, it could further weaken the administration’s legal position.

Democratic lawmakers and even some Republicans have criticized Musk’s involvement, arguing that he shouldn’t decide on federal employment without Senate confirmation. Senate Majority Leader John Thune recently emphasized that Cabinet secretaries should retain hiring and firing authority, a sentiment that appears to have influenced Trump’s decision to clarify DOGE’s function.

More Coordinated Job Cuts

Trump has promised to hold biweekly meetings with Cabinet members to review personnel decisions. This approach aims to restore order, but whether it will succeed remains uncertain. Federal employees remain wary, given the instability caused by DOGE’s actions. Some agencies have already begun rehiring employees fired under Musk’s direction, but the future of thousands of federal jobs remains in limbo.

As lawsuits progress and Congress applies pressure, Trump may have to refine DOGE’s role further. Whether Musk will accept a diminished position or find another way to exert influence remains to be seen. The next few weeks could determine whether this bureaucratic shake-up stabilizes or descends into further chaos.

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