WASHINGTON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Elon Musk, the billionaire adviser tasked with radically downsizing the U.S. government, is set to attend President Donald Trump's first cabinet meeting on Wednesday. This meeting occurs amidst ongoing turmoil surrounding Musk's plans to reduce the number of federal workers. The situation has become a significant early test of Musk's authority, as he is not a cabinet officer but has wielded considerable influence in Trump’s early weeks.
Musk's email directive requiring all federal workers to detail their accomplishments or face job termination has plunged the government into chaos. While some agencies instructed their employees to comply with the demand, others said they could ignore it. Despite the U.S. Office of Personnel Management advising workers that they need not respond to Musk’s email, President Trump and his allies hinted that compliance might be beneficial. Musk insisted that federal workers list five weekly accomplishments or risk termination, giving a 48-hour deadline for responses via email.
On social media, Musk continued to press for responses, seemingly supported by Trump, who described the email request as “somewhat voluntary.” When asked about the potential enforcement of Musk’s threat, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump would defer to the guidance of cabinet secretaries for their individual workforces. Some cabinet officers, like Kelly Loeffler of the Small Business Administration, backed Musk’s demand, while others, including Trump loyalists such as Kash Patel, the new FBI chief, advised employees to hold off on replying.
As tensions rose, 21 workers resigned from Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in protest. "We will not use our skills as technologists to compromise core government systems, jeopardize Americans' sensitive data, or dismantle critical public services," they wrote in a resignation letter posted online. Musk's downsizing initiative has already laid off over 20,000 workers, with another 75,000 accepting buyouts. Despite these actions, the initiative continued to accelerate, affecting various federal departments.
The Internal Revenue Service executives were advised to prepare for further job cuts beyond the nearly 12,000 employees already slated for termination. The Interior Department also received directives to plan workforce reductions ranging from 10% to 40%. Musk expressed frustration over federal judges blocking his team from accessing sensitive systems and data, stating, "The only way to restore rule of the people in America is to impeach judges." His statement emphasizes the ongoing legal challenges his downsizing efforts face.
Reporting by James Oliphant. Editing by Noeleen Walder and Lincoln Feast.
