Trump directs agencies to cooperate with Musk's government cost-cutting plan

Odaily News According to White House officials, Trump asked the heads of government agencies to coordinate with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk leads, to "significantly reduce the size of government" and "limit hiring to critical positions."
The White House fact sheet states that agencies can only hire one employee for every four departing government employees. The exceptions are for law enforcement, national security, immigration and public safety roles. It is unclear whether the DOGE, an internal White House office, has the authority to implement mass firings.
Musk appeared in the Oval Office with Trump on Tuesday and defended his approach, which includes moving younger workers between agencies, gaining access to sensitive computer systems and employee data, and in some cases closing offices and furloughing employees, all moves aimed at reducing the size of government.
Without providing evidence, Musk said the Treasury Department’s system lacked “basic controls,” including measures to prevent funds from flowing to entities on a “deny pay list,” “which was like a lot of blank checks flying out of the building.” Trump’s claim that DOGE uncovered “billions of dollars in waste, fraud and abuse” was also unconfirmed.

Trump said he was willing to ask Congress to implement some of DOGE's recommendations if needed. He criticized federal judges for blocking several actions but added that he would "comply with the courts." A federal judge in Rhode Island said Monday that the White House had not fully complied with his orders to release billions of dollars in federal grants. (Fortune)