Chaos in the Cabinet: Federal Officials Stunned and Frustrated by Musk’s Unforeseen Directives | CNN Politics

Elon Musk made quite a splash by attending President Donald Trump’s first Cabinet meeting. His presence showcases the power he’s gained within the administration, all without being elected or confirmed by the Senate.

However, not everyone is pleased. Musk’s efforts to overhaul the federal workforce in line with Trump’s vision have begun to rub some Cabinet secretaries and Congress members the wrong way. There have been concerns over Musk’s new directives, which have stirred up confusion across various government departments.

For example, Musk recently sent out an unexpected email through the Office of Personnel Management. The email, simply asking, “What did you do last week?” led to chaos. While White House officials claimed to be prepared, many Cabinet officials were blindsided. They were not informed in advance, which raised eyebrows and created tension.

Several agency heads were surprised by Musk’s implied threat that those who didn’t respond quickly might face firing. This created confusion about who actually has authority over employees in different departments.

A senior White House official acknowledged that most agencies were left in the dark, leading to complications. Some agencies had to explain to their employees that the sensitive nature of their work made it difficult to respond appropriately to Musk’s email.

Frustration also arose from the fact that many Cabinet secretaries were new to their positions. Some hadn’t even had their Senate confirmation votes yet, which meant they needed time to evaluate their workforces before facing potential cuts.

Concerns lingered around Musk’s unexpected ability to influence employee employment based on orders that hadn’t been formally approved by the secretaries themselves.

In response to Musk’s email, leaders from key departments—including the FBI, State, Justice, and Defense—advised their employees not to reply. They recognized the sensitive nature of their work and wanted to protect confidential information. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Musk, despite his influential role, did not have the authority to hire or fire federal workers directly.

Leavitt stressed that Trump respects his Cabinet’s decisions, especially regarding national security and handling sensitive information. Employees in the executive office of the president were told they didn’t need to respond, which added another layer to the situation.

This incident reflects broader concerns about Musk’s approach and leadership style within the administration. His frequent visits to various government offices to ask employees about their roles show his hands-on approach, but this can also lead to friction.

Musk has easy access to the West Wing, often appearing unannounced. His brainstorming sessions often involve multiple administration members, and he appears keen on implementing many innovative ideas quickly.

The email demanding employees list five tasks they completed the previous week came at Musk’s request, indicating he is actively trying to push for efficiency while sometimes overlooking procedural chaos.

While many acknowledge there is waste in government, some are concerned about Musk’s hasty methods of implementing change without thorough exploration of the implications. However, one person who seems unfazed by Musk’s approach is Trump himself.

The president believes Musk is creating the disruption he wants to see, appreciating the rapid pace of his initiatives. Trump has encouraged quick actions, making it clear he values immediate results over lengthy deliberations.