Anonymous wrote:https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/06/trump-cabinet-musk-025093

Do we think that this will have any impact on the pace of the layoffs? Or is it just for show?

I think it will slow them, but not entirely stop them.

Trump can read the room. Firing veterans, having to hire people back who do things like transport nuclear material or work on power lines, etc. isn't playing super well. Neither is Elon Musk, for that matter.

I think they approach they are going to take now will be to ferret anyone with performance issues, or anyone who has been formally reprimanded, anyone under investigation for wrongdoing, etc. I heard second hand that one of the IC agencies is enforcing their drug testing policy. It's always been on the books, but is suddenly being enforced. Then it will be formal RIFs or people heavily encourage to retire or resign with VERA/VSIP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suspect it is for legal reasons. I’m cynical.

That was exactly my thought.

Yeah, I think Trump is just saying that Musk’s cuts will be more likely to be found legal by the courts if they are “made” or endorsed by the agency heads. But either way he basically intends to make them.

Anonymous wrote:I suspect it is for legal reasons. I’m cynical.

That was exactly my thought.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/06/trump-cabinet-musk-025093

Do we think that this will have any impact on the pace of the layoffs? Or is it just for show?

As Trump accounces this, he is already going back on his word.

From the article:

"But he (Trump) also said he wanted cuts, and that Musk would remain a power center: “If they can cut, it’s better. And if they don’t cut, then Elon will do the cutting.”

Someone get ready to make another court filing with this quote in it! Hahaha.

Let’s ask AI:

Musk lacking formal firing or decision-making power—doesn’t appear to be new. Since DOGE’s creation on January 20, 2025, its role has been advisory, not executive. Musk never had legal authority to fire federal employees or set policy unilaterally; that power resided with department heads and the president. What’s new is the public and official reinforcement of this limit. The Cabinet meeting was a response to this perception, not a change in his actual authority.

So, to answer directly: the meeting and Trump’s statement are new as of today, March 6, 2025, but Musk’s lack of firing power isn’t a new development—it’s a clarification of an existing reality.

What a mess. I am so sorry to those of you caught up in it.

Anonymous wrote:Elon always had advisory power only, Trump had to be explicit because democrats insist Elon is firing people when that’s simply not true.

Liar. DOGE has fired thousands of people to date.

Elon always had advisory power only, Trump had to be explicit because democrats insist Elon is firing people when that’s simply not true.

Two crazies.

Between all the court cases and stock market craziness, assume all for show. Elon will just be more behind the scenes.

Anonymous wrote:https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/06/trump-cabinet-musk-025093

Do we think that this will have any impact on the pace of the layoffs? Or is it just for show?

As Trump accounces this, he is already going back on his word.

From the article:

"But he (Trump) also said he wanted cuts, and that Musk would remain a power center: “If they can cut, it’s better. And if they don’t cut, then Elon will do the cutting.”

Let's take bets on how long Musk stays in the government. 2 weeks? A month? 3 months?
Definitely less than 6 months.

I suspect it is for legal reasons. I’m cynical.

Just for show. If T's lips are moving, he is lying.

I suspect Elon is scared. He keeps talking about how someone is going to kill him. He mentioned that on Joe Rogan.

The New Republic reported that Musk wants to blame the agency heads for the firings and not his beloved DOGE. But we have the tapes. He was gleeful about the firings.

He was happy to hurt USAID employees after USAID investigated him for breaking US sanctions to give Starlink to Russia.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/06/trump-cabinet-musk-025093

Do we think that this will have any impact on the pace of the layoffs? Or is it just for show?