As Elon Musk’s legal battle over the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) leadership continues, President Donald Trump told his Cabinet members that they run their own departments, not the billionaire entrepreneur.
Two administration officials told Politico that Trump told members of his administration on Thursday that Musk is empowered to make recommendations on their departments but not to issue unilateral decisions on staffing and policy. Musk was also in the room.
According to Trump’s new directive, department heads are the ones empowered to make the ultimate decisions on personnel, policy and the pacing of implementation. T
The insiders also said that Musk joined in on the conversation, indicating he agrees with the directive and acknowledging that DOGE has made some missteps, a message he shared earlier this week with members of Congress.
It remains unclear whether the new guidance will result in laid off workers getting rehired. But Trump said on his Truth Social site that he would hold similar meetings every two weeks.
“As the Secretaries learn about, and understand, the people working for the various Departments, they can be very precise as to who will remain, and who will go,” he wrote. “We say the ‘scalpel’ rather than the ‘hatchet.’ The combination of them, Elon, DOGE, and other great people will be able to do things at a historic level.”
The meeting comes as DOGE faces legal scrutiny, with lawyers questioning the legality of the initiative by arguing it had not complied with the terms of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which determines how the government runs advisory commissions.
In a separate filing Wednesday morning, the plaintiffs’ attorneys asked a federal judge to fast-track their case this week by expediting discovery— the process by which the parties in a legal matter exchange evidence.
“The factual background of this case is in constant flux, all due to the Government’s inconsistent positions regarding the nature of the work Elon Musk performs,” the attorneys wrote in the filing.
Musk’s role at DOGE and the federal government overall has been widely contested, and the Trump administration has been sending mixed signals about his position.
During his address to a joint session of Congress, the president highlighted the work of DOGE. “I have created the brand-new Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE— perhaps you’ve heard of it,” said Trump, adding: “Which is headed by Elon Musk, who is in the gallery tonight.” The billionaire then stood up as Republican lawmakers gave him a standing ovation.
Earlier, administration officials had said Musk wasn’t in charge, and repeatedly declined to publicly identify DOGE’s leader. Last week, White House press secretary said Amy Gleason, a former health care investment executive and U.S. Digital Service senior adviser, is acting administration.
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