Musk says he's not responsible for mass federal firings
What's the story
Elon Musk has reportedly distanced himself from the recent mass firings of federal workers, during private discussions with Republican lawmakers.
This comes as a response to the backlash from constituents upset over the dismissal of thousands, including military veterans.
Despite evidence suggesting otherwise, North Carolina Representative Richard Hudson stated after a meeting with Musk: "Elon doesn't fire people."
Hudson clarified "He doesn't have hiring and firing authority," following their dinner-time pizza meeting in Washington DC.
Clarification
Trump clarifies Musk's role in staffing decisions
President Donald Trump has also clarified that Musk's role is limited to making recommendations about staffing to departments, not unilateral decisions.
This comes after the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump's administration, with Musk at its helm.
Despite criticism over an expanding US oligarchy, Trump reiterated earlier this week that Musk heads DOGE, which was quickly introduced as evidence in one lawsuit against job cutting.
Caution
Trump advocates careful approach to staffing changes
After a Cabinet meeting, Trump says he directed department secretaries to work with DOGE but advised them to "be very precise" about which employees to keep or fire.
He stressed using a "scalpel rather than a hatchet," and said, "I don't want to see a big cut where a lot of good people are cut."
The President indicated agency heads would lead staffing decisions, but Musk could have more say later.
Legal hurdles
Musk's approach to job cuts faces legal challenges
Musk's plan to trim the government workforce and circumvent Congress's usual role in distributing federal funds, has led to lawsuits.
The White House Office of Personnel Management ordered federal agencies to lay off probationary workers, who don't have full civil service protection.
But a federal judge in San Francisco questioned if these layoffs may have broken the law.
This prompted administration officials to argue that individual agencies—not Musk or the Office of Personnel Management—were responsible for these decisions.
Resistance
Musk's team faces resistance within federal agencies
Musk's team has encountered pushback within federal agencies, resulting in the resignation of top officials, including those at the Social Security Administration.
Tens of thousands of workers took an early retirement offer, with more likely facing layoffs.
"We're making good progress," Musk said late Wednesday as he dashed through the halls of Capitol Hill.
Still, many Republicans publicly back Musk's work at DOGE but privately wonder as personnel cuts ripple through communities across the nation.