Elon Musk is scaling back his role in government, prompting President Donald Trump’s cabinet to reassert its oversight over the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — a key agency Musk has led since its creation. According to senior government insiders, internal disagreements over decision-making had been simmering for months.
Musk, who spearheaded aggressive cost-cutting initiatives across federal departments, announced on Tuesday that he would now limit his involvement in DOGE operations to one or two days per week. His decision comes amid growing pushback from cabinet members over hiring decisions and budget allocations made under DOGE’s authority.
Established on Trump’s first day in office via executive order, DOGE has become synonymous with the administration’s anti-bureaucracy drive. Its sweeping actions — from layoffs to contract cancellations — drew praise from fiscal conservatives but were deeply unpopular within the civil service.
Musk’s influence and public profile have long shielded DOGE from scrutiny. However, with his reduced presence, cabinet officials are expected to step in to reclaim authority over departmental decisions, particularly concerning personnel and fiscal policies.
Internal Conflicts Surface
According to sources, tensions culminated in a contentious cabinet meeting in March. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly confronted Musk over DOGE’s interference with USAID, while Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy raised safety concerns regarding staff cuts to air traffic control systems.
“DOGE crossed a line,” one official said privately. “Now that Musk is pulling back, the cabinet sees a chance to reassert its role.”
With Musk’s influence waning, the administration aims to pursue more focused, deliberate reforms, stepping away from DOGE’s broad and often controversial cost-reduction strategies.
DOGE Staff and Structure in Flux
The future of DOGE remains uncertain. Many engineers brought in from Musk-led companies like SpaceX and X (formerly Twitter) may see their roles reassessed as officials question their qualifications and government experience.
“There will be increased scrutiny,” another source confirmed. “We’re asking whether these individuals are equipped to shape public policy and manage government systems.”
Amy Gleason, named interim head of DOGE earlier this year, is a possible candidate to succeed Musk. However, her authority remains ambiguous, particularly due to conflicting comments from both Musk and President Trump about the nature of Musk’s position.
White House Plays Down Shift
Despite the internal realignments, the White House insists nothing has changed. Spokesperson Harrison Fields stated that DOGE continues to operate efficiently and remains fully aligned with President Trump’s objectives.
“DOGE was never a standalone authority — it’s always been an extension of the President’s agenda,” Fields said. “Cabinet secretaries already hold operational control.”
Still, policy experts argue that the administrative culture Musk established is likely to endure, even in his absence.
“DOGE’s philosophy has become ingrained,” noted Nick Bednar, a law professor at the University of Minnesota. “It’s a movement that now runs on its own momentum.”
Musk Says His Mission Is Complete
Speaking on Tuesday, Musk characterized his reduced involvement as a shift back to his private sector obligations, including challenges facing Tesla.
“The foundational work is done,” Musk said. “We’ve built the DOGE framework to enforce fiscal discipline. Now it’s time to let it run.”
While critics have welcomed his withdrawal, others believe DOGE might function more effectively without the intense spotlight that follows Musk.
“Elon Musk draws attention — not always the good kind,” said Tom Schatz, president of Citizens Against Government Waste. “Without him in the foreground, DOGE might operate more smoothly.”
