Elon Musk, appointed to streamline the U.S. government, will attend President Donald Trump’s first cabinet meeting as tensions rise over his aggressive workforce cuts. Despite not being a cabinet official, Musk’s influence in Trump’s administration is undeniable.
Musk’s email demanding all federal employees submit weekly accomplishments or risk termination has caused upheaval. While some agencies complied, others resisted. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management stated compliance was unnecessary, but Trump suggested workers might be fired if they ignored Musk’s request.
Musk doubled down, urging employees via social media to respond. Trump’s comments reinforced the pressure, saying participation was “somewhat voluntary” but also implied termination for non-compliance. Some officials, like Small Business Administration head Kelly Loeffler, supported Musk’s demand, while others, including new FBI chief Kash Patel, advised employees to hold off.
Musk’s downsizing effort has already cut over 20,000 federal jobs, with another 75,000 employees taking buyouts. Agencies such as the IRS face additional cuts, with thousands of terminations and buyouts anticipated. Departments like the Interior are also preparing for workforce reductions of up to 40%.
Opposition is mounting, with 21 employees from Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency resigning in protest, stating they won’t compromise government integrity or public services.
Meanwhile, Musk clashed with federal judges who blocked his team from accessing sensitive data in departments like Treasury and Education. In response, Musk called for judicial impeachment, insisting no one is above the law.
As Musk's restructuring accelerates, uncertainty looms over federal employees, raising questions about the future of government operations under Trump’s administration.