Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has increasingly become a central figure in the U.S. government's cost-cutting efforts through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). However, recent reports suggest that his influence is causing frustration among senior Trump administration officials. According to sources within the White House, multiple Cabinet members have expressed concerns over Musk’s unilateral decisions affecting federal agencies, but they feel powerless to intervene due to President
Donald Trump’s strong support for the initiative. This situation has raised questions about the balance of power within the administration and the future of DOGE’s restructuring efforts.
Elon Musk’s influence over government operations frustrates cabinet members
According to reports from The Washington Post, several senior officials within the Trump administration have voiced their discontent over Musk’s growing authority within DOGE. The department, created to streamline federal operations and reduce costs, has been at the center of controversy due to its aggressive restructuring strategies.
One senior official stated,
“Basically, every Cabinet member is sick of him, but nobody feels like they’re in a position to do anything about it. People are afraid to cross him even as he’s wreaking havoc on their agencies.”Musk's role in DOGE has led to the shutdown of several federal agencies, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The abrupt closures and budget cuts have led to growing tensions between Musk and career government officials, many of whom feel sidelined in decision-making processes.
Concerns over the sustainability of DOGE’s structure
Policy experts have also raised concerns about DOGE’s long-term viability, particularly regarding the autonomy of Cabinet secretaries. Doug Holtz-Eakin, president of the right-leaning think tank American Action Forum, noted that the current structure of DOGE is creating conflicts between agency heads and Musk.
"Why do you want to be a Cabinet secretary if you can’t run your own agency and the president and Elon Musk run your agency for you? That doesn’t seem like a great job to me. It’s very unusual. We’ve never seen anything like this," Holtz-Eakin stated.
This misalignment between DOGE’s agenda and federal agencies’ traditional responsibilities has resulted in internal struggles, with many officials unsure of their authority in executing policies. The tension has also extended to Congress, where some lawmakers are questioning Musk’s unprecedented role in government operations.
Elon Musk’s response and White House backing
Despite internal opposition, Musk has defended his actions, arguing that DOGE’s efforts are essential for reducing waste and inefficiency in government spending. He has repeatedly emphasized the importance of streamlining bureaucratic processes and eliminating redundant agencies.
President Trump has also continued to support Musk, dismissing concerns about conflicts of interest and executive overreach. In a recent interview, Trump stated,
“Elon is doing exactly what we need—cutting down on waste and making government run like a business. People who don’t like it are the ones who want to keep the old system that doesn’t work.”This endorsement has made it difficult for dissenting officials to push back against DOGE’s initiatives.
Criticism from government watchdogs and unions
Beyond internal frustrations, government watchdog organizations and federal employee unions have also voiced strong opposition to Musk’s involvement in government restructuring. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest union representing federal workers, has accused DOGE of undermining job security and creating instability within agencies.
"Once again, Elon Musk and the Trump Administration have shown their utter disdain for federal employees and the critical services they provide to the American people," said Everett Kelley, president of the AFGE.
Watchdog groups have also highlighted concerns about transparency, as many of DOGE’s decisions are made without clear congressional oversight. They argue that Musk’s influence over agency closures and budget cuts raises ethical questions, particularly given his personal business interests in government contracts through SpaceX and Tesla.
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