Topic: Politics
by MPeriod
Posted 6 months ago
Some Republican lawmakers are expressing deep concerns about Elon Musk's significant job cuts within the federal government. Senators are particularly anxious about the public perception of such drastic measures, especially since these job losses affect individuals in their home states.
As attacks from Democrats increase, Musk's aggressive approach to slashing federal positions is causing chaos and uncertainty. One Republican senator described Musk's attempt to encourage federal workers to resign in exchange for seven months of severance as “poorly executed,” according to The Hill.
> “I think they’re just looking to reduce numbers — it’s not efficiency, it’s not output. It’s, ‘We just need bodies gone.’ And I don’t know that’s the metric that you use,” the senator remarked.
Frustration escalated when Musk called for a “wave of judicial impeachments” in response to federal judges placing holds on some of President Trump’s orders. The senator condemned this notion, stating, “Wrong, wrong, wrong. Get him out of the White House. Get him out; the sooner, the better.”
A poll conducted by the Economist and YouGov from February 9 to 11 revealed that many independents disapprove of Musk's role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Among respondents, only 31% approved of Musk's actions, while 49% disapproved—a sentiment mirrored in moderate voters as well, where 33% approved and 54% disapproved.
Another Republican senator shared additional concerns with The Hill, highlighting the chaos Musk’s buyout offer has caused. His constituents are anxious, questioning Musk’s authority as an unelected billionaire. The buyout offer, which attracted about 75,000 applicants, led to heightened confusion when a judge temporarily halted it, later lifting that pause just as the Trump administration shut down the program.
"There’s no doubt that the president appears to have empowered Elon Musk to go far beyond what I think is appropriate,” commented Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Legal experts, along with Democrats and state attorneys general, assert that Musk's workforce cuts not only violate the law but also undermine the checks and balances of congressional and judicial powers. This potential overreach has raised alarms about the impact on democracy, particularly in light of Trump's array of executive orders that enhanced his power.
Both Musk and Trump have targeted judges who opposed their administration's actions, with at least one judge facing threats of impeachment. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes stated, “In the U.S., we appeal rulings we disagree with – we don’t ignore court orders or threaten judges with impeachment just because we don’t like the decision. This is a coup, plain and simple.”
Democratic Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse weighed in, labeling their hunt for waste and fraud a “smokescreen” for their actual motives. He likened Trump’s removal of agency inspectors general to “firing cops before you rob the bank,” suggesting a deliberate effort to dismantle essential government functions.
Despite reports of tension between Musk and the Trump administration, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the unity of the team, asserting, “Elon Musk is serving at the pleasure of the president, just like everybody else on this team. He takes directives directly from the president of the United States.”