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Musk’s Role in Government Downsizing Sparks Controversy
Musk to Attend Cabinet Meeting Amid Workforce Cuts
Elon Musk, tasked with radically downsizing the U.S. government, will attend President Donald Trump’s first cabinet meeting on Wednesday as turmoil continues over mass layoffs of federal employees.
Although Musk is not a cabinet officer, his influence has been a key factor in shaping the administration’s early policies. His directive requiring federal workers to submit a list of accomplishments or risk termination has created confusion and debate within the government.
Conflicting Directives on Employee Reports
Musk issued an email mandating that all federal employees submit five accomplishments from the past week within 48 hours or face dismissal. This directive resulted in mixed reactions, with some agencies enforcing the request while others ignored it.
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) informed employees that they were not required to comply. However, Trump and his allies implied that non-compliance could lead to job loss. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that decisions on enforcement would be left to individual cabinet secretaries.
Diverse Reactions from Cabinet Officials
Some cabinet members supported Musk’s directive. Kelly Loeffler, head of the Small Business Administration, defended the move, arguing that it was a basic measure to ensure employees were performing their duties.
Others, including Trump loyalist and FBI Chief Kash Patel, advised their employees to hold off on responding, highlighting internal divisions within the administration.
Mass Resignations and Protests
On Tuesday, 21 employees from the Department of Government Efficiency resigned in protest, citing concerns over data security, public service integrity, and ethical issues. Their resignation statement emphasized their unwillingness to compromise critical government systems.
Escalating Job Cuts Across Federal Agencies
Musk’s initiative has led to the dismissal of over 20,000 workers, with an additional 75,000 accepting buyouts. The majority of those let go were employees with less than a year of tenure, making them easier to terminate under civil service rules.
However, attention has now turned toward long-term staff. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is preparing for another wave of layoffs beyond the 12,000 already planned. The Interior Department has also received guidance to prepare for workforce reductions between 10% and 40% in key bureaus such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Legal Challenges and Musk’s Response
Federal judges have intervened, blocking Musk’s team from accessing sensitive government data and freezing foreign aid funds. In response, Musk criticized the judiciary, calling for the impeachment of judges and stating that no one is above the law.
Uncertain Future for Federal Workforce
With widespread job cuts and ongoing legal challenges, the federal government faces a period of uncertainty. Musk’s aggressive downsizing approach continues to spark debate over the balance between efficiency and governance stability.
“Musk’s Role in Government Downsizing Sparks Controversy” “Musk’s Role in Government Downsizing Sparks Controversy” “Musk’s Role in Government Downsizing Sparks Controversy” “Musk’s Role in Government Downsizing Sparks Controversy”