Trump and Musk Defend Controversial Federal Cuts Amid Protests

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and his key advisor Elon Musk held a rare joint press conference at the White House on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, where they defended sweeping cuts to federal government programs. Musk acknowledged that while changes were necessary, there would inevitably be mistakes along the way.

Standing beside the Resolute Desk with his young son, Musk explained that he leads the newly established Department of Government Efficiency. Trump backed him by stating that they had discovered ‘shocking’ evidence of wasteful spending within the federal bureaucracy. During the conference, Trump also signed an executive order empowering Musk and continuing the trend of decreasing the federal workforce.

Musk characterized himself as transparent, joking about the intense scrutiny he faces, comparing it to a ‘daily proctology exam.’ He asserted that despite concerns about gathering unchecked authority, his work was in accordance with democratic values. ‘The people voted for major government reform, and that’s what they are going to get,’ Musk said.

However, the details of the proposed reductions remained vague. Although Musk claimed that updates would be shared on DOGE, his department’s website and social media lacked specifics regarding upcoming cuts and oversight responsibilities.

Critics have voiced concerns about the administration limiting independent scrutiny. The inspector general for the U.S. Agency for International Development was dismissed shortly after raising alarms about the feasibility of tracking $8.2 billion in humanitarian funds being reassigned amid the cuts.

During the press conference, Musk admitted to making false claims regarding federal expenditures, but emphasized his commitment to promptly correcting any errors. ‘Some of the things I say will be incorrect and should be corrected,’ he stated. ‘We are moving fast, so we will make mistakes, but we’ll also fix the mistakes very quickly.’

The executive order signed by Trump will require DOGE’s oversight of nearly all new hires, with strict limits on staffing levels. Any vacancies deemed unnecessary by DOGE’s team lead will not be filled unless a higher authority specifies otherwise. Additionally, agencies are directed to maintain a hiring rate of no more than one employee for every four who depart.

Federal agencies are also expected to explore ‘large-scale reductions in force,’ which entails eliminating functions that are not mandated by law. Such measures and the promotion of voluntary resignation incentives have created an atmosphere of anxiety among federal employees.

Protests erupted outside the Capitol during the White House event, with activists expressing solidarity with civil service workers facing potential layoffs. Janet Connelly, a graphic designer with the Department of Energy, voiced her concerns about a buyout program that would allow employees to accept pay in exchange for leaving their positions. ‘From the get-go, I didn’t trust it,’ she said.

Democratic Senator Patty Murray condemned the strategy employed by Trump and Musk, arguing that federal workers ‘deserve better than to be threatened and intimidated.’ She warned that removing experienced personnel could lead to inefficiencies in government services.

As the political landscape continues to shift with these unprecedented changes, employees are increasingly worried about their job security and the implications for the services they provide to the public.