Trump Clarifies Musk’s Authority, Reaffirms Cabinet Control Over Agencies- wna24

Two senior Republican officials are emphasizing that tech billionaire Elon Musk does not have the power to fire federal employees or dictate policy decisions, aligning with President Donald Trump’s recent statements on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) made it clear that Musk’s influence has limits.

“Elon Musk does not have the power to fire people,” Scott told anchor Jake Tapper. “The president of the United States is Donald Trump, and the agency heads are the ones who manage each of their departments.”

Scott’s remarks come after a tense Cabinet meeting where multiple officials reportedly expressed frustration with Musk’s attempts to push for staffing cuts and policy changes within their agencies. One such dispute arose between Musk and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy over reported DOGE efforts to lay off air traffic controllers.

Duffy later described the meeting as “productive” in a social media post on Friday, though he signaled broader concerns about Musk’s aggressive approach.

Trump used the meeting to clarify that Musk is not authorized to make staffing or policy decisions. Instead, the president emphasized that DOGE should serve an advisory role, with Cabinet officials retaining final authority over their respective agencies.

“The President’s approach of a scalpel versus a hatchet and better coordination between Secretaries and DOGE is the right approach to revolutionizing the way our government is run,” Duffy said.

The new directive marks Trump’s first major move to rein in Musk’s growing influence, particularly following mass layoffs and discussions about eliminating federal agencies—actions that have fueled anxiety among government employees.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick echoed Trump’s stance during an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday. While he praised Musk’s contributions, Lutnick clarified that his agency is ultimately under his control.

“Elon Musk is your partner,” Lutnick said. “He’s your partner in technology, he’s your partner in thought, he’s your partner in doing. What President Trump made clear is that Elon is your partner. That is what we like.”

Despite concerns about Musk’s aggressive push for government restructuring, Lutnick defended his involvement, framing it as an asset rather than a disruption.

“You have the best technologist and richest guy in the world saying ‘I’ll help you,’ come on, we want his help,” Lutnick added.

Trump’s new guidance on Musk’s role signals an effort to balance government efficiency with maintaining control over federal decision-making. While DOGE remains a tool for streamlining operations, Trump’s statement makes it clear that ultimate authority remains with the administration’s top officials.