Federal workers doubt Trump’s move to curb Musk’s influence over government cuts

Elon Musk and Donald Trump

US federal workers, Democratic lawmakers, and even some Republicans remain sceptical that President Donald Trump has truly curbed billionaire adviser Elon Musk’s influence over government restructuring, despite his recent Cabinet directive.

During a heated Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Trump told his secretaries that they, not Musk, would oversee staffing decisions, signalling a shift from the billionaire’s aggressive approach to downsizing the federal workforce. The remarks came as legal and political pressure mounted over Musk’s role in the administration, with lawsuits challenging the extent of his authority.

Yet, inside federal agencies, little has changed. More than a dozen federal employees told Politico that they had received no new guidance from their supervisors or unions indicating a shift in policy. Many remain unconvinced that Trump’s directive will be enforced.

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” said David Casserly, a Department of Labor employee speaking in a personal capacity. Others described the announcement as mere “damage control” after Trump publicly referred to Musk as the “head” of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a statement that could pose legal complications for the administration.

Backlash over government layoffs intensifies

Musk’s influence in government restructuring has drawn backlash from federal workers and lawmakers alike, particularly after the mass layoffs of essential employees, including nuclear safety staff and bird flu response teams. The US Department of Veterans Affairs has also faced criticism over reports of widespread firings, with fears that tens of thousands of employees could be next.

At the US Department of Agriculture, funding freezes have stalled critical operations, including farm loan processing and cost reimbursements for farmers. DOGE’s restrictions have even prevented employees from using government credit cards to fuel vehicles needed for field inspections.

“There is zero optimism and zero trust,” said one Agriculture Department employee.

Despite Trump’s statement that government cuts would now be handled with a “scalpel” rather than a “hatchet,” he contradicted himself shortly after. Speaking to reporters, he suggested Musk would still have the power to enforce layoffs if department heads failed to trim their agencies sufficiently.

“Elon and the group are going to be watching them, and if they can cut, it’s better,” Trump said. “And if they don’t cut, then Elon will do the cutting.”

Lawmakers await proof of change

On Capitol Hill, Democrats remain cautious but hopeful that Trump will follow through with limiting Musk’s role.

“If that’s true, that’s good news for the country and the separation of powers,” said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). “But I think it’s reasonable to give it a few business days to see whether any actual change has happened.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested the shift was legitimate but provided few details. “I think the president kind of did a recalibration yesterday,” he said in a Friday Fox News interview, adding that some laid-off employees, particularly at Veterans Affairs, would be rehired.

“Stay tuned because it’s gonna be corrected,” Johnson said. “And I’ve talked to Elon about this personally … He has completely pure motives.”

Federal employees remain on edge

Despite reassurances from Trump allies, federal workers say the damage has already been done. At the Forest Service, where thousands have been fired, employees have received no instructions about whether their agency’s policies will shift. One worker described an atmosphere of “low morale, fear, and anxiety.”

The administration has also suffered setbacks in court. A federal board recently ordered the USDA to reinstate more than 5,600 employees for at least 45 days, a significant blow to Musk’s cost-cutting agenda.

At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, employees were fired and then hastily rehired in recent weeks. One CDC worker who was reinstated said they feel no more secure in their position. “Everyone is just talking about the upcoming reduction in force every day. I in no way feel like I will be immune.”

For those who were not rehired, the administration’s pivot is too little, too late. “Lives have been upended. Americans have been harmed,” said one former CDC employee.

At the State Department, which has been rocked by the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development, scepticism runs deep. “I don’t think it’s real,” said a department official. “The ‘if they don’t cut, Elon will’ comments show who’s really in charge.”