Elon Musk’s involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has sparked tensions within the Trump administration and among Republican leaders.
While Musk was initially appointed to spearhead the department, recent court filings indicate he holds no formal authority, despite President Trump stating he had “put … Musk in charge.”
The debate over Musk’s role became more apparent during a White House cabinet meeting, where he and Senator Marco Rubio reportedly clashed over Musk’s proposal to shut down USAID. The heated exchange highlighted differing views within the GOP on Musk’s influence in shaping government policy.
“Elon Musk does not have the power to fire people,” Republican Florida Sen. Rick Scott told CNN’s “State of the Union.”
“The president of the United States is Donald Trump, and the agency heads are the ones who manage each of their departments,” added Scott.
While Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has worked with Musk on air traffic control staffing issues, he has not directly addressed Musk’s role in DOGE; the two reportedly sparred over plans to lay off air traffic controllers.
Musk’s growing political presence remains a point of contention. Some Republicans welcome his disruptive approach to bureaucracy, while others express concerns about his influence in policymaking.
With Trump maintaining his support for Musk despite legal clarifications on his role, the debate will likely continue within the party.
As the administration moves forward, the extent of Musk’s involvement in government operations remains uncertain, leaving Republicans divided over how much authority he should wield in reshaping federal agencies.