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Trump and

President Trump's executive order empowers Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to oversee significant downsizing of federal agencies, sparking legal and ethical concerns.

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Elon Musk stands near President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, on Feb. 11, 2025.
FILE - Migrants queue to enter the migrant shelter on Randall's Island, April 9, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)
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Overview

  • President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to implement large-scale workforce reductions, with Elon Musk leading the effort through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
  • The order mandates a hiring ratio of one new employee for every four who leave, while exempting roles in immigration enforcement, public safety, and law enforcement.
  • Critics have raised concerns about transparency, conflicts of interest, and the legality of Musk's unprecedented authority over government operations.
  • Musk defended the initiative as a response to public demand for government reform, acknowledging potential mistakes but pledging to correct them quickly.
  • Legal challenges and public backlash are mounting, with federal employees and unions voicing fears over job security, oversight gaps, and the broader implications of the cuts.