President Donald Trump told his Cabinet members Thursday that Elon Musk does not have unilateral authority over federal agencies, marking the first major effort to rein in Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
During an in-person Cabinet meeting, Trump clarified that Musk can make recommendations but cannot issue direct staffing or policy decisions. The meeting followed weeks of mass firings and legal challenges over DOGE’s aggressive restructuring of the federal workforce.
Musk, who was present at the meeting, acknowledged DOGE’s missteps and agreed to Trump’s directive, sources said. However, it remains unclear if terminated federal employees will be rehired.
The decision follows growing bipartisan concern, including comments from Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), who urged that Cabinet secretaries retain full authority over hiring and firing.
Trump’s move could impact ongoing legal challenges against DOGE. Judges have struggled to determine Musk’s actual authority, especially after Trump previously called him the “head” of DOGE during a joint address to Congress.
Federal courts are now examining Musk’s role in DOGE’s restructuring, with lawsuits in Washington, D.C., and Maryland alleging he exercises unconstitutional power without Senate confirmation.
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