Elon Musk’s involvement in government efficiency efforts is facing pushback from Senate GOP Leader John Thune, who is urging him to step back and let appointed officials take the lead on key decisions.
Musk, who has been spearheading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has introduced aggressive cost-cutting and modernization efforts. While many lawmakers support reducing government waste, some are worried that Musk is moving too fast and making decisions that impact federal workers without enough oversight.
What’s the Controversy?
Thune and other Republicans want Musk to delegate more authority to Senate-confirmed cabinet officials who, they argue, are more in tune with how these changes affect federal employees.
Some GOP senators, including Susan Collins and Thom Tillis, have raised concerns that Musk’s approach lacks coordination with agency leaders and could create unintended consequences.
The White House has acknowledged the concerns and is now looking to give cabinet members a bigger role in implementing DOGE’s initiatives, balancing efficiency with stability.
What Are Lawmakers Saying?
“Elon has done great work modernizing government, but some decisions should be left to experienced officials who understand the impact on employees and agencies.” — Senator John Thune
“We support cutting waste, but changes need to be made carefully. Government workers deserve stability, not sudden overhauls.” — Senator Susan Collins
“Musk should focus on tech innovation while letting agency heads manage operations.” — Senator Thom Tillis
Musk’s Response
Musk hasn’t directly responded to Thune’s comments, but he has defended his work on DOGE, saying government inefficiency costs taxpayers billions and reforming the system requires bold action.
What’s Next?
The debate is now shifting to how much control Musk should have over government efficiency efforts. With cabinet officials set to take a bigger role, Musk may have to adjust his hands-on approach—whether he likes it or not.