The billionaire denounced excessive bureaucracy, calling it an “unelected, unconstitutional fourth branch of government.”
President Donald Trump issued an executive order instructing all US federal agencies to implement workforce cuts and efficiency improvements as planned by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Signed February 11, 2025, the order directs agencies to limit hiring to critical roles and cooperate with DOGE to identify substantial staff reductions and potential agency closures.
Appearing with Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Musk defended the initiative, asserting that the American “people voted for significant government reform, and that’s what they’ll receive.”
“Reducing federal spending isn’t optional – it’s vital. America’s financial solvency depends on it,” Musk stated.
“We have this unelected, unconstitutional fourth branch of government – the bureaucracy – which, in many ways, currently holds more power than any elected official,” he added. “It doesn’t represent the public’s will. We must address this.”
That was one of the most incredible political press conferences I’ve ever seen.
Trump + Elon standing in the Oval Office, telling the American people directly what they are doing… basic financial management of our out of control spending.
“This isn’t optional, it’s essential.”
— Geiger Capital (@Geiger_Capital)
“And we must tackle the deficit – a $2 trillion deficit. Failure to act will bankrupt the country. The interest on the national debt alone surpasses the Defense Department’s budget,” Musk pointed out.
Trump’s latest drive for substantial federal workforce cuts follows previous administrative efforts to streamline government operations, including foreign aid and hiring freezes. The Department of Government Efficiency has received expanded authority to oversee these reductions, aiming to eliminate wasteful government spending.
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