- Trump Advises Musk to Use Scalpel Not Hatchet in Government Cuts Trump emphasizes careful targeting in cost reductions.
- Musk lacks authority to make unilateral decisions on staffing cuts.
- Cabinet secretaries are responsible for final staffing decisions.
- DOGE’s cost-cutting efforts face legal challenges and bipartisan criticism.
President Donald Trump is facing backlash for significant cuts to the US government overseen by Elon Musk, his billionaire advisor. Trump responded by emphasizing the need for precise targeting of these cuts.
“We say the ‘scalpel’ rather than the ‘hatchet,’”
Trump used his social media platform Truth Social to address the situation. This communication marks the first step towards limiting the authority granted to Musk, as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Musk aims to reduce federal staffing and expenses.
The president’s message comes amid increasing resistance to DOGE’s cost-cutting campaign, including court rulings and pressure from lawmakers.
Despite the criticism, Trump commended DOGE’s work, describing it as highly successful. He directed his Cabinet members to work with DOGE on ways to reduce costs and make staffing decisions, highlighting that they hold the responsibility within their respective departments, not Musk.
Trump says he just had a meeting with Elon Musk and most of his Cabinet and that they plan to meet every two weeks, in part about staffing levels. “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… pic.twitter.com/0QZsK9Iven
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) March 6, 2025
Trump confirmed reports that he convened his cabinet in person to deliver the message that they, not Musk, were in charge of their departments. Musk attended the meeting and agreed to prioritize agency officials for staffing decisions. The president emphasized the importance of retaining productive employees while reducing staff levels to where they should be.
The Trump administration has faced scrutiny for trying to distance Musk from the government’s actions, even as the president has publicly claimed otherwise. Musk’s role in federal budget cuts has been central, but his authority has been questioned, leading to legal challenges and bipartisan concerns.
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Last Updated on March 7, 2025 by 247 News Around The World
