Trump Directs Federal Agencies to Adhere to Musk's "DOGE Cuts"
President Donald Trump has issued an executive order requiring US federal agencies to carry out workforce reductions and enhance efficiency measures. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The billionaire has criticized bureaucracy, labeling it an “unelected, unconstitutional fourth branch of government.”
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that mandates U.S. federal agencies to carry out workforce reductions and implement efficiency measures as recommended by the Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Elon Musk.
Signed on February 11, 2025, the order instructs agencies to restrict hiring to essential roles and to work with DOGE to pinpoint areas suitable for substantial staff cuts and potential agency closures.
Musk, who appeared with Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday, defended the initiative, asserting that the American “people voted for major government reform, and that’s what they’re going to get.”
“It’s not optional for us to reduce federal expenses – it’s essential. It’s essential for America to remain solvent as a country,” Musk stated.
“We have this unelected, unconstitutional fourth branch of government – the bureaucracy – which, in many ways, currently holds more power than any elected representative,” he continued. “It does not reflect the will of the people. So it’s something we’ve got to fix.”
The press conference was noted for its striking presentation. Trump and Musk, standing in the Oval Office, directly conveyed their plans to the American public as a necessary step in managing the nation’s excessive spending. “This isn’t optional, it’s essential,” Musk reiterated.
Musk emphasized the urgency of addressing the national deficit, highlighting a staggering $2 trillion shortfall. “If we don’t do something about this, the country is going bankrupt. I mean, it’s astounding that the interest payments alone on the national debt exceed the Defense Department’s budget,” he pointed out.
Trump's executive order outlines a hiring ratio, allowing agencies to hire only one employee for every four who leave, with exceptions for public safety, immigration enforcement, and law enforcement roles. Agency leaders are required to create data-driven strategies, in consultation with DOGE team leads, to ensure that new hires are targeted to areas of high need.
Additionally, the order mandates agency heads to report within 30 days on whether their departments or sub-agencies could be consolidated or eliminated. Military personnel are exempt from these stipulations, and agency heads may designate any positions necessary to fulfill national security, homeland security, or public safety duties.
Concerns have emerged from critics regarding the impact of these initiatives on public services and the potential for concentrated power within DOGE, prompting reporters to question Musk about possible conflicts of interest.
REPORTER: Are you policing yourself for conflicts of interest? What are the checks and balances?
MUSK: We post our actions to the DOGE handle on X.
Trump’s call for substantial federal workforce reductions comes on the heels of previous efforts by his administration to streamline government operations, which included freezes on foreign aid and hiring. The Department of Government Efficiency has been authorized to oversee these reductions, with a focus on identifying and eliminating wasteful expenditures within the federal government.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that mandates U.S. federal agencies to carry out workforce reductions and implement efficiency measures as recommended by the Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Elon Musk.
Signed on February 11, 2025, the order instructs agencies to restrict hiring to essential roles and to work with DOGE to pinpoint areas suitable for substantial staff cuts and potential agency closures.
Musk, who appeared with Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday, defended the initiative, asserting that the American “people voted for major government reform, and that’s what they’re going to get.”
“It’s not optional for us to reduce federal expenses – it’s essential. It’s essential for America to remain solvent as a country,” Musk stated.
“We have this unelected, unconstitutional fourth branch of government – the bureaucracy – which, in many ways, currently holds more power than any elected representative,” he continued. “It does not reflect the will of the people. So it’s something we’ve got to fix.”
The press conference was noted for its striking presentation. Trump and Musk, standing in the Oval Office, directly conveyed their plans to the American public as a necessary step in managing the nation’s excessive spending. “This isn’t optional, it’s essential,” Musk reiterated.
Musk emphasized the urgency of addressing the national deficit, highlighting a staggering $2 trillion shortfall. “If we don’t do something about this, the country is going bankrupt. I mean, it’s astounding that the interest payments alone on the national debt exceed the Defense Department’s budget,” he pointed out.
Trump's executive order outlines a hiring ratio, allowing agencies to hire only one employee for every four who leave, with exceptions for public safety, immigration enforcement, and law enforcement roles. Agency leaders are required to create data-driven strategies, in consultation with DOGE team leads, to ensure that new hires are targeted to areas of high need.
Additionally, the order mandates agency heads to report within 30 days on whether their departments or sub-agencies could be consolidated or eliminated. Military personnel are exempt from these stipulations, and agency heads may designate any positions necessary to fulfill national security, homeland security, or public safety duties.
Concerns have emerged from critics regarding the impact of these initiatives on public services and the potential for concentrated power within DOGE, prompting reporters to question Musk about possible conflicts of interest.
REPORTER: Are you policing yourself for conflicts of interest? What are the checks and balances?
MUSK: We post our actions to the DOGE handle on X.
Trump’s call for substantial federal workforce reductions comes on the heels of previous efforts by his administration to streamline government operations, which included freezes on foreign aid and hiring. The Department of Government Efficiency has been authorized to oversee these reductions, with a focus on identifying and eliminating wasteful expenditures within the federal government.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
