Elon Musk, despite lacking official cabinet status, will attend President Trump’s first cabinet meeting. His presence, confirmed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, stems from his role advising the president on government efficiency. This appointment follows controversy surrounding Musk’s demands for increased productivity from federal employees, resulting in resignations from his department. Musk’s involvement underscores the administration’s focus on streamlining government operations.
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Analysis of data from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reveals that nearly 40% of the Trump administration’s canceled federal contracts, totaling 794, will not result in cost savings due to pre-existing financial obligations. This “slash and burn” approach, criticized for its lack of efficiency and potential harm to government agencies, contrasts with alternative methods of identifying cost-saving measures. Despite DOGE’s claim of $65 billion in savings from various cost-cutting measures, this figure remains unverified. The cancellations include contracts for various goods and services, some already fully paid, raising concerns about the program’s effectiveness.
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A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Department of Education and the Office of Personnel Management from sharing sensitive personal information with representatives from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The judge found that this disclosure likely violated the Privacy Act by releasing data—including bank account numbers and Social Security numbers—without consent. The order protects current and former federal employees from potential misuse of their data by DOGE. The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by several unions representing federal employees, who argue the data is being used inappropriately. The judge clarified that the order does not impede the administration’s broader policy goals, only the unauthorized release of sensitive personal information.
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Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) criticized Elon Musk’s demand that federal employees justify their positions or face termination, deeming it an abusive power move. This mandate, delivered via a Saturday night email requesting weekly accomplishments, followed President Trump’s urging for Musk to be more aggressive in his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk defended the email as a “trivial task,” while Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) countered that Musk lacks understanding of government spending and accountability. The DOJ has clarified that Musk is only a White House advisor, despite Trump’s assertion to the contrary.
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The Pentagon plans to reduce its civilian workforce by 5-8%, initiating layoffs of 5,400 probationary employees next week. This initial wave will be followed by a hiring freeze and a broader review of personnel to align with the president’s priorities and improve military readiness. The cuts, potentially impacting 35,000-60,000 employees, follow visits from Elon Musk’s “department of government efficiency” and align with Defense Secretary Hegseth’s calls for reducing overhead and increasing funding for combat forces. The planned cuts represent a significant restructuring of the Department of Defense.
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In an effort to cut costs, the USDA inadvertently terminated several bird flu experts, a move it is now working to rectify. These terminations, part of broader federal workforce reductions, impacted essential personnel despite exemptions for veterinarians and emergency responders. The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak, responsible for the culling of 148 million birds and impacting egg prices and human health, necessitates these experts’ continued employment. These actions follow recommendations from the Department of Government Efficiency and coincide with the cancellation of numerous contracts, some related to DEI initiatives.
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Fourteen states filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk and President Trump, alleging the White House unconstitutionally granted Musk extensive power through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The suit argues that Trump violated the Appointments Clause by creating DOGE and giving Musk unchecked authority without congressional approval or Senate confirmation. The states seek to prevent Musk from making changes to government funding, contracts, and personnel decisions. The White House has dismissed the lawsuit as politically motivated, while multiple other legal challenges against DOGE are already underway.
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Speaking at the World Governments Summit, Elon Musk advocated for the complete elimination of entire U.S. government agencies to combat inefficiency, likening partial agency reform to leaving weed roots intact. He believes this approach, implemented as head of the new Department of Government Efficiency, could reduce the federal deficit by $1 trillion by 2026. This drastic measure, exemplified by the near-shutdown of USAID and its potential absorption into the State Department, has already begun impacting global aid. Musk contends that while complete eradication of bureaucracy is impossible, a stronger foundation for U.S. governance can be established.
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Elon Musk vehemently criticized a judge’s order temporarily blocking his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Treasury Department data, calling for the judge’s impeachment. This action followed a lawsuit filed by state attorneys general alleging DOGE’s access exceeded statutory authority. Musk contends this data is crucial for his government efficiency initiatives, while critics raise concerns about DOGE’s vetting processes and potential data breaches. Recent legal setbacks, including halted plans for employee administrative leave and a buyout offer, further impede DOGE’s efforts to restructure the federal government. The legality of DOGE’s actions and its future are likely to face continued legal challenges.
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Despite repeated denials by the Treasury Department and White House, a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) technologist, Marko Elez, possessed write access to critical Treasury payment systems. Elez, a SpaceX and X employee with limited government experience, resigned following inquiries about his association with a racist social media account. This access, granted after the retirement of a senior Treasury official who resisted DOGE’s demands, allowed potential manipulation of federal payments. Subsequent reporting revealed that Elez made code changes, prompting concerns about the security and integrity of the US payment system.
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John Q. Hosedrinker