For the first time! Trump "openly backstabs" Musk
The layoffs led by Elon Musk have affected at least 20,000 federal employees, including veterans and cancer researchers, which has sparked dissatisfaction among some Republican lawmakers, cabinet members, and the public. Yesterday, Trump hinted that the U.S. Government Efficiency Department, led by Musk, may have been too hasty in its mass layoffs of federal employees: "We use a 'scalpel' instead of a 'machete'," and "It is very important to reduce the scale to a reasonable level, but it is equally important to retain the best and most efficient talent."
On Thursday local time, during a meeting held at the White House, Trump hinted that the efficiency department of the U.S. government led by Musk (DOGE) may have been too hasty in its mass layoffs of federal employees. Shortly after the meeting, Trump posted on Truth Social:
“When the ministers get a deeper understanding of their respective departments' staff, they can more accurately decide who should stay and who should go; we use a ‘scalpel’ instead of a ‘machete.’”
On Thursday afternoon, in an interview with reporters at the White House, Trump further stated:
“I do not want to see mass layoffs resulting in a large number of talented individuals being let go... I hope cabinet members will screen first and retain all necessary personnel.”
Trump's remarks come as Republican lawmakers and cabinet members grow increasingly uneasy about the speed and scope of DOGE's layoffs. Analysts believe this marks the first public adjustment by the Trump administration regarding the direction of the DOGE project, as Trump stated:
“It is very important to reduce the scale to a reasonable level, but it is equally important to retain the best and most efficient talent.”
Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune also stated this week that layoffs “need to be conducted in a respectful manner,” while some Republican lawmakers have offered mild criticism of proposals to cut scientific research, U.S. aid spending, and the mass dismissal of FBI agents.
So far, this round of layoffs led by Musk has affected at least 20,000 federal employees, including veterans and cancer researchers.
Political Backlash and Legal Challenges
According to reports, due to protests triggered by DOGE's layoffs in states such as Georgia, Texas, and Kansas, House Speaker Mike Johnson has advised congressional Republicans to avoid holding in-person meetings in their districts.
In response to criticism, Musk agreed on Wednesday to provide some Republican senators with his personal phone number to directly address issues arising from the layoffs, according to on-site sources, indicating an intention to alleviate dissatisfaction within the party.
Earlier this week, the Trump administration also quietly clarified a layoff directive, emphasizing that the decision to terminate employees rests with each government agency.
In addition to political backlash, legal challenges have also emerged:
Last week, a federal judge prohibited the U.S. Office of Personnel Management from firing probationary employees in specific departments, clearly stating that the office “has no authority under any regulation to hire or fire employees of another agency.”
Some probationary employees who were laid off from the National Science Foundation last month began to be rehired this Monday, and the U.S. government was also forced to rehire employees from the National Nuclear Security Administration last month