During a cabinet meeting on Thursday, US President Donald Trump made it clear that his ministers, not Elon Musk, are in charge of their respective departments. According to two administration officials who attended the meeting, Trump emphasized that Musk only has the authority to suggest ideas but cannot make independent decisions regarding staffing or policies.

Notably, Trump delivered this clarification while Musk was present in the room. The meeting followed a wave of mass firings and warnings to federal employees, reportedly issued by Musk as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). These abrupt actions have created widespread uncertainty within the federal workforce. Additionally, DOGE’s recent decisions have faced legal challenges and criticism from both Democratic and some Republican lawmakers.

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Trump Limits Musk’s Authority Over Government Decisions

Trump’s remarks at the meeting marked a significant step in redefining DOGE’s role. He instructed that the department should serve as an advisory body, while Cabinet secretaries should retain full control over personnel decisions, policy-making, and implementation timelines.

After the meeting, Musk reportedly expressed his commitment to working under Trump’s directives. A source familiar with the discussion told Politico that Musk acknowledged DOGE had made some errors—something he had also admitted to members of Congress earlier in the week. Meanwhile, Trump reiterated that he wanted to retain skilled government employees and had no plans to remove capable workers from his administration.

This stance contradicts recent developments in Trump’s White House. Over the past month, his administration has fired tens of thousands of federal employees across various agencies. A federal judge and the head of a civil service board have ruled that these dismissals were not performance-related and may have violated civil service laws. It remains uncertain whether Trump’s latest directive will lead to further layoffs or prompt a rehiring process.

Trump’s Approach: ‘Scalpel, Not Hatchet’

Following the meeting, Trump addressed the situation on TruthSocial, stating that similar cabinet meetings would now take place every two weeks. He explained, “As the Secretaries learn about, and understand, the people working for the various Departments, they can be very precise as to who will remain, and who will go.” He further emphasized a measured approach, saying, “We say the ‘scalpel’ rather than the ‘hatchet.’ The combination of them, Elon, DOGE, and other great people will be able to do things at a historic level.”

Speaking to reporters afterward, Trump reiterated that he wanted his Cabinet members to “keep all the people you want, everybody that you need.” However, he maintained his focus on reducing government staff, stating, “If they can cut, it’s better. And if they don’t cut, then Elon will do the cutting.”

Musk later reposted Trump’s statement on social media, calling the discussion a “very productive meeting.”