WASHINGTON, D.C. – Elon Musk defended the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on Tuesday, standing beside President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Musk emphasized that Americans voted for major government reform, and the administration is delivering on that mandate through deep spending cuts and federal workforce reductions.
Musk’s First Public Remarks Since Taking on Government Reform Role
“The people voted for major government reform, and that’s what the people are going to get,” Musk stated, with his young son by his side.
President Trump reinforced Musk’s role by signing an executive order that requires all federal agency heads to coordinate with DOGE to shrink the government.
Key Directive of the Order:
- Federal agencies must consult with DOGE to reduce workforce size.
- Hiring will be limited to essential positions only.
Legal Challenges Mount Against Federal Cutbacks
The aggressive downsizing of government agencies has sparked legal battles nationwide, with critics—including Democrats and unions—calling the cuts unconstitutional.
Judges have already blocked several Trump administration actions, including:
- Preventing DOGE from accessing Treasury Department data.
- Pausing “deferred resignations” offered to federal employees.
Musk defended the approach, claiming that the federal bureaucracy has become an “unelected” fourth branch of government that lacks accountability.
Concerns Over Musk’s Conflicts of Interest
Musk was asked about potential conflicts of interest, given that his companies—including Tesla, SpaceX, and Starlink—hold billions in federal contracts.
Musk’s Response:
“You can see whether I’m doing something that’s benefitting one of my companies or not. It’s totally obvious.”
Despite growing concerns, Musk’s financial disclosure report will remain confidential.
Trump’s Take on Musk’s Potential Conflicts:
“If I thought Elon had a conflict of interest, I wouldn’t let him proceed.”
Trump Addresses Court Orders and Executive Power
Legal experts worry that Trump’s aggressive use of executive power—combined with statements from Vice President JD Vance and other allies—could lead to a constitutional crisis if the administration defies court rulings.
Trump’s Response on Whether He’ll Follow Court Rulings:
“Well, I always abide by the courts, and then I have to appeal it,” he said, but questioned why judges would want to block his agenda.
Musk Acknowledges Mistakes but Stresses Rapid Action
Musk admitted that the fast-paced government restructuring could lead to errors but pledged to correct mistakes quickly.
Musk’s Acknowledgment of Errors:
“We are moving fast, so we will make mistakes, but we will fix the mistakes very quickly.”
This comes after Musk previously spread a false claim that the U.S. was sending millions of dollars’ worth of condoms to Gaza.
What’s Next?
As the Trump administration continues its federal overhaul, questions remain about:
- The future of key government programs facing cuts.
- The administration’s willingness to comply with legal rulings.
- Whether Musk’s leadership at DOGE will face further scrutiny.
For now, the administration is doubling down on its push for drastic federal spending reductions, setting the stage for further legal and political battles.
