Trump, Joined by Musk, Signs Order to Slash Federal Workforce

By Joey Garrison, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON – In a bold move to restructure the federal government, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday directing federal agencies to undertake “large-scale reductions in force.” The order, which calls for a significant downsizing of the federal workforce, was crafted under the guidance of Elon Musk’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Flanked by Musk in the Oval Office, Trump emphasized the need for aggressive cost-cutting, asserting that reducing federal expenses was “not optional, but essential.” Musk, wearing a black “MAGA” hat and accompanied by his son, X, reinforced this message, calling the federal bureaucracy an “unelected, unconstitutional fourth branch of government” that must be held accountable.

Sweeping Workforce Overhaul

The executive order mandates that agency heads work closely with DOGE to shrink the size of the federal workforce and limit hiring to essential positions. It specifically instructs agencies to prioritize cuts in offices that perform functions not mandated by law.

Trump did not sign the order in the presence of reporters, but the White House later confirmed its enactment.

“We’ve already uncovered billions of dollars in waste, incompetence, and corruption,” Trump said, describing the effort as a crackdown on what he and Musk repeatedly referred to as “fraud.”

This marks the first time Musk has taken public questions from reporters since assuming a central role in Trump’s second-term administration. Addressing concerns over his involvement, Musk defended DOGE’s transparency, dismissing allegations of conflicts of interest despite his business ties to the federal government.

“All of our actions are fully public,” Musk assured reporters. “If there’s any conflict, people won’t hesitate to call it out.”

Federal Buyouts and Legal Challenges

The administration has already extended buyout offers to nearly all 2.3 million federal employees, proposing to pay them through September if they voluntarily resign. However, this plan is currently stalled in court, with a Massachusetts judge pausing implementation to hear arguments from federal employee unions.

So far, more than 60,000 workers—roughly 2.6% of the federal workforce—have accepted buyouts, falling short of the administration’s projected 5-10% participation rate. If voluntary departures remain low, furloughs and layoffs are likely, the White House signaled.

“We’re working to right-size the federal bureaucracy,” Musk explained. “There needs to be a federal workforce, just not at its current scale.”

New Hiring and Conduct Standards

The order also establishes stricter hiring policies, limiting agencies to hiring just one new employee for every four who leave once Trump’s initial hiring freeze expires. Agencies in law enforcement, immigration, and public safety are exempt from these restrictions.

Additionally, the order directs the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to implement stricter conduct standards for future federal hires, including U.S. citizenship requirements and mandatory compliance with federal tax filings.

Agency heads must now submit reports within 30 days identifying the laws that established their departments and evaluating whether any offices should be eliminated or consolidated. A recent OPM memo also requested lists of employees who received performance ratings below “fully successful” in the last three years, signaling potential dismissals of underperforming personnel.

Broader Efforts to Restructure Government

Since returning to office, Trump, guided by Musk and DOGE, has moved swiftly to dismantle key elements of the federal government. In just three weeks, his administration has shuttered the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and initiated steps to eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Trump has also floated the idea of dissolving the Department of Education.

However, these efforts have faced immediate legal challenges. Federal judges have blocked aspects of the USAID shutdown and temporarily prevented DOGE from accessing Treasury Department payment systems, raising questions about the extent of executive authority in these reforms.

“What are the two things necessary to cut the budget deficit from $2 trillion to $1 trillion?” Musk asked rhetorically. “Competence and caring.”

As Trump’s administration continues its aggressive push to reshape the federal workforce, legal battles are likely to intensify, setting the stage for a contentious showdown over the future of the U.S. government.