A new Quinnipiac University poll reveals widespread disapproval of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with 60% of registered voters disapproving of its handling of federal employee job cuts. A majority (54%) believe DOGE is causing more harm than good, while only 36% support Musk’s actions. This discontent coincides with low approval ratings for President Trump’s handling of the economy and the Ukraine war. DOGE’s job cuts, projected to reach 300,000, are significantly larger than previous major layoff events and have prompted internal conflict within the Trump administration.
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Despite public Republican support for Elon Musk’s efforts at the Department of Government Efficiency, concerns are rising privately over widespread federal employee layoffs, including veterans. Rep. Richard Hudson clarified that Musk lacks direct hiring and firing authority, asserting his role is limited to uncovering waste, fraud, and abuse. This contradicts Musk’s own public pronouncements, highlighting a familiar pattern of conservative denial and deflection. The situation underscores the significant power wielded by Musk and the complex political ramifications of his actions.
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Thousands of federal employees, many of whom voted for President Trump believing his policies would benefit them, have been laid off as part of the administration’s plan to reduce the federal workforce. These layoffs, affecting probationary workers and even high-performing employees, have left former workers scrambling for new jobs and expressing varied reactions. While some continue to support Trump’s goals but disagree with his methods, others openly regret their vote, citing disillusionment with the administration’s approach to job cuts. The mass terminations have sparked controversy, with some questioning the fairness and efficacy of the process.
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The U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), responsible for handling appeals from terminated federal employees, is facing an unprecedented surge in cases following widespread Trump administration layoffs. A recent influx of at least 1,845 cases in a single week—compared to approximately 100 weekly cases previously—threatens to overwhelm the board’s capacity, potentially causing significant delays in processing appeals. This backlog, echoing a similar situation in 2013, is raising concerns about the ability of the MSPB to ensure timely and fair reviews of employee appeals, especially given allegations of politically motivated terminations. Experts warn that this situation risks undermining the integrity of the civil service system.
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Conflicting reports emerged regarding recent layoffs at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), with initial reports claiming over 300 dismissals, later disputed by the Department of Energy, who stated the number was under 50. These layoffs, impacting staff at weapons facilities, followed a broader administration order targeting probationary federal employees across multiple agencies. The administration subsequently attempted to reverse some terminations, facing difficulties in contacting those fired due to email account deactivation. This action, part of a larger effort to reduce government spending and workforce size, has already faced significant legal challenges.
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President-elect Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, led by Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk, plans sweeping changes to the federal workforce. This includes mass layoffs (“reductions-in-force”), a mandated return to five-day workweeks in offices, and significant cuts to federal contracting. Ramaswamy cites recent Supreme Court decisions as justification, claiming they provide legal grounds for these actions, though experts dispute the feasibility and legality of such large-scale changes. These proposals face significant hurdles, including existing collective bargaining agreements and congressional oversight.
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John Q. Hosedrinker