The recent meeting of the US cabinet has been marred by a heated exchange between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Elon Musk, a key figure in the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce. According to a report by the New York Times, cited by Xinhua news agency, the tense discussion began when Musk, known for his cost-cutting initiatives, criticized Rubio for not significantly reducing the number of staff at the State Department. Musk allegedly accused Rubio of not having “fired anyone,” prompting a swift response from the Secretary of State.
Rubio countered by pointing out that over 1,500 State Department employees had taken early retirement as part of a recent buyout program, and sarcastically asked Musk if he wanted him to rehire those employees just so he could fire them again. The exchange highlights the ongoing tensions within the administration over the best approach to reducing the federal workforce.
However, when questioned by reporters on Friday in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump downplayed the reported disagreement between Rubio and Musk. “There’s no conflict, I was there,” Trump stated. “Elon gets along great with Marco, and they’re both doing a fantastic job. There’s no conflict.” Trump has promised to use a “scalpel” rather than a “hatchet” in cutting the federal workforce, a statement made amidst growing discontent and criticism over the recent firings.
The move, which both openly supports Musk and reins in some of his more indiscriminate methods, reflects the discomfort of some Republicans with the federal workforce reductions and the disrespect Musk has shown towards the bureaucracy. As the New York Times report notes, “Some cabinet members have expressed concerns to the White House about the chaotic nature of Musk’s ‘ready, fire, aim’ approach to cutting staff, according to several people briefed on the matter.”
Since the Office of Government Efficiency (OGE), led by Musk, began its work at the end of January, over 30,000 federal employees have been laid off nationwide. The White House has stated that approximately 75,000 federal employees have accepted a “buyout” plan, which offers eight months’ pay for delayed retirement. The developments have sparked intense debate over the administration’s approach to reducing the federal workforce, with some questioning the effectiveness and fairness of the methods employed.