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Elon Musk Meets with NSA Chief as Workforce Cuts Loom Over Intelligence Agencies

The billionaire and Trump administration advisor discusses alignment with administration priorities and potential reductions in staff and operations.

Elon Musk flashes his t-shirt that reads "DOGE" to the media as he walks on South Lawn of the White House, in Washington, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
© Photographer: Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Elon Musk looks on during the day of a meeting with House Republicans to discuss the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 5, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura/File Photo

Overview

  • Elon Musk, tasked with leading the Department of Government Efficiency, visited the NSA and met with its director, General Timothy Haugh, on Wednesday.
  • The meeting reportedly focused on ensuring the NSA and U.S. Cyber Command align with the administration's priorities, including potential workforce reductions.
  • The NSA and other intelligence agencies, including the CIA, are exploring early retirement and buyout options to meet a federal workforce reduction target of 5-8% set by the Department of Defense.
  • Musk has previously called for an overhaul of the NSA, citing inefficiencies in government systems and operations.
  • Critics, including former intelligence officials and members of Congress, have raised concerns that rapid staff cuts could harm national security and undermine critical missions.