President Trump is taking a surgical approach to streamlining the federal workforce, rejecting calls for mass firings in favor of precision cuts. The strategy aims to retain top performers while eliminating waste, putting Cabinet secretaries in the driver’s seat with guidance from Efficiency Czar Elon Musk.
At a glance:
• Trump has directed Cabinet secretaries, not Elon Musk’s DOGE team, to make final decisions on federal workforce reductions
• The President advocates for a “scalpel” over a “hatchet” approach to ensure the most productive employees are retained
• Cabinet members will collaborate with DOGE on spending cuts but maintain authority over staffing decisions
• Trump administration has reportedly already cut 20,000 positions with another 75,000 accepting deferred resignations
• Regular bi-weekly meetings will track progress on the workforce reduction initiative
Trump Puts Cabinet Secretaries in Charge of Federal Cuts
President Donald Trump is refining his strategy to trim the federal workforce, emphasizing targeted reductions rather than wholesale eliminations. The President met with his Cabinet Secretaries and efficiency advisor Elon Musk to outline his vision for a more efficient government that keeps top performers while reducing overall headcount.
Trump has clarified that while Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will provide guidance, Cabinet Secretaries will make the final decisions on staffing cuts. “Now that we have my Cabinet in place, I have instructed the Secretaries and Leadership to work with DOGE on cost cutting measures and staffing,” Trump said, emphasizing precision in the process.
Trump’s approach represents a strategic calibration in his administration’s efforts to shrink the federal government. The President has described the current federal workforce as “out of control” and reiterated his commitment to making government smaller and more efficient during the recent Cabinet meeting.
🚨🇺🇸 TRUMP ADMIN CUTS 21,720 FEDERAL JOBS: IRS AND HHS HIT HARDEST
New data shows DOGE's efficiency campaign has trimmed 6,700 positions at IRS, 5,200 at HHS, and 3,400 at Forest Service.
The cuts target probationary employees first, focusing on bureaucratic agencies.… https://t.co/GNH3N3WBg5 pic.twitter.com/YfybmIQ1p8
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 25, 2025
Strategic Approach with Consequences for Non-Compliance
The President’s directive for targeted workforce reductions comes with a clear warning for Cabinet members reluctant to make necessary cuts.
“If they can cut, it’s better. If they don’t cut, then Elon will do the cutting,” Trump stated, establishing accountability while emphasizing his preference for department-led reductions.
Trump’s strategy aims to maintain essential government functions while eliminating inefficiencies. “We want to make government smaller, more efficient. We want to keep the best people, and we’re not going to keep the worst people,” the president explained during the meeting.
“It’s very important that we cut levels down to where they should be, but it’s also important to keep the best and most productive people,” Trump emphasized. “We’re going to have these meetings every two weeks until that aspect of this very necessary job is done.”
Progress Already Being Made Despite Criticism
The Trump administration’s workforce reduction initiative has already made significant progress according to reports. Approximately 20,000 federal employees have been terminated, with another 75,000 accepting deferred resignations as part of the restructuring effort.
While the cuts have drawn criticism from some quarters, including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak who described them as a “sledgehammer” approach, Trump has remained steadfast in his commitment to reducing government bloat. The administration’s efforts come as recruitment firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported 172,017 layoffs in February, with the government sector experiencing the highest number of job cuts.
Despite concerns from some Republican lawmakers about potential voter backlash, Trump continues to praise DOGE’s efforts. “I think they’ve done an amazing job,” the President said of Musk and his team, while still emphasizing his preference for the more targeted approach now being implemented.
Musk has been meeting with both Senate and House Republicans to address concerns and discuss opportunities for improving government expenditures. The tech billionaire described his recent meeting with Trump and Cabinet officials as “very productive” and has previously characterized DOGE as a support function focused on reducing fraud and waste rather than an independent decision-making body.
