Trump Cabinet Expected to Reassert Control Over DOGE as Musk Steps Back

As Elon Musk prepares to reduce his involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to focus on Tesla, President Donald Trump's cabinet is set to reclaim greater authority over the agency. Established on Trump's first day in office and led by Musk, DOGE has implemented aggressive cost-cutting measures, including mass layoffs and contract cancellations, which have made it unpopular among federal employees. Musk's high-profile role provided political cover for DOGE's sweeping reforms, but tensions have grown within the administration over the department's interference in cabinet operations, with notable clashes involving Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy regarding USAID and air traffic controller layoffs, respectively. Cabinet secretaries have long sought to regain control over hiring, firing, and budget decisions, and with Musk stepping back, they are expected to pursue more targeted and strategic spending cuts. This transition is anticipated to reduce internal conflicts and restore traditional cabinet oversight previously overshadowed by DOGE's influence. The move marks a shift away from broad reductions toward more balanced fiscal management within the Trump administration.