Trump Grants Elon Musk Expanded Authority to Streamline Federal Workforce
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday granting tech billionaire Elon Musk expanded authority to streamline the federal workforce through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The move, announced during a joint appearance in the Oval Office, solidifies Musk’s growing influence in the Trump administration as he continues to lead cost-cutting initiatives aimed at reducing government waste and fraud.
The executive order directs federal agencies to coordinate with DOGE to implement large-scale workforce reductions and limit hiring to “essential positions.” Musk, who serves as a “special government employee” while retaining his roles as CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has faced criticism from labor unions and Democratic state attorneys general over the legality of DOGE’s actions. Despite multiple lawsuits and concerns about transparency, Trump praised Musk’s efforts, calling DOGE’s work “incredible.”
During a 30-minute press briefing, Musk and Trump defended their aggressive approach, citing alleged waste and fraud within the federal government. However, they provided few specifics, with Musk acknowledging that some of his previous claims about government waste had been debunked. “Nobody’s going to bat a thousand,” Musk said, adding that mistakes would be corrected quickly. He also noted that funding for Ebola and HIV prevention programs, which had been paused, would be reinstated after discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Critics have raised constitutional concerns about the administration’s efforts to shutter federal agencies and withhold congressionally appropriated funds without legislative approval. Musk dismissed questions about potential conflicts of interest, particularly regarding SpaceX’s $3.8 billion in federal contracts, stating that he delegates relevant work and ensures taxpayer value.
The executive order marks a significant expansion of Musk’s role in reshaping the federal government, even as legal challenges and political opposition mount. With approximately 2.4 million federal employees, the administration’s focus on workforce reductions represents a contentious but relatively small portion of the overall federal budget, which is dominated by Social Security, healthcare, and military spending.
With Elon Musk watching, Trump says he's giving DOGE even more power
Trump endorsed DOGE's work and declined to commit to seek congressional approval for the massive overhaul of federal agencies that he and Musk are pus
www.nbcnews.com
Elon Musk defends US government involvement
The tech billionaire was questioned by reporters on what Democrats have called a hostile takeover of government.
www.bbc.com
Top Republican condemns Elon Musk for ‘supplication’ to China in new book
Exclusive: Tom Cotton, Senate intelligence chair, risks angering key Trump ally with harsh words for ‘tech titans’
www.theguardian.com
Fortune 500 Europe
The European edition of the Fortune 500, ranking companies by revenue.
fortune.com
Trump signs executive order calling on agencies to work with Elon Musk-led group
The latest news on President Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the new Congress.
www.washingtonpost.com
One Agency Tried to Regulate SpaceX. Now Its Fate Could Be in Elon Musk’s Hands.
The Trump ally and DOGE chief is expected to turn his budget-slashing sights on the FAA’s little-known commercial spaceflight office, which has propos
www.propublica.org