US President Donald Trump is set to hold his first Cabinet meeting since returning to office last month. With most of his nominees now confirmed by Congress, the meeting aims to push forward his administration’s agenda.
A key attendee will be billionaire Elon Musk, who has been given oversight of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). However, Musk’s role and other controversial Cabinet appointments have sparked significant debate.
Elon Musk’s Role in the Trump Administration
Elon Musk, one of Trump’s top donors during the 2024 presidential campaign, has been appointed to lead DOGE. This department focuses on cutting down the federal workforce, a move that has already led to thousands of job terminations.
Despite having no formal decision-making authority, Musk is classified as a “special government employee” and a “senior adviser to the president.” His influence within the administration has already been met with resistance, with one-third of his DOGE staff resigning in protest.
Controversial Cabinet Appointments
Musk is not the only high-profile figure in Trump’s Cabinet. Some of the most debated appointments include:
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Health and Human Services Secretary): A known vaccine skeptic, his confirmation sparked concerns among medical professionals.
- Tulsi Gabbard (Director of National Intelligence): Accused of promoting conspiracy theories, her appointment has been met with criticism.
- Pete Hegseth (Defense Secretary): A former Fox News host, he has faced allegations of sexual misconduct.
Despite opposition from Democrats, all of Trump’s confirmed Cabinet picks have been approved by the Senate, where Republicans hold a narrow majority. Only former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell opposed Kennedy’s confirmation, citing concerns over his stance on vaccines and infectious disease research.
Pending Cabinet Confirmations
While most of Trump’s Cabinet members have been confirmed, a few still await Senate approval, including:
- Lori Chavez-DeRemer (Secretary of Labor): A former congresswoman.
- Linda McMahon (Small Business Administration Head): Previously led the SBA during Trump’s first term.
Backlash Against Musk’s Government Efficiency Measures
Since taking charge of DOGE, Musk has attempted to overhaul the federal workforce by demanding that employees justify their jobs or face termination. His actions have resulted in thousands of layoffs, particularly among probationary workers—those who were recently hired or promoted.
However, several government departments have reportedly instructed employees to ignore Musk’s directives.
