Trump Praises Musk’s Efforts in Government Overhaul, Urges More Aggressive Reforms

Washington: US President Donald Trump on Saturday commended billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk for his role in streamlining the federal government but urged him to accelerate the reform process.

“Elon is doing a great job, but I would like to see him get more aggressive,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. “Remember, we have a country to save.”

Musk, the world’s richest person and one of Trump’s most influential allies, was appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). His mandate: cut public spending, eliminate waste, and root out alleged corruption within federal agencies.

Massive Workforce Reductions Under Musk’s Leadership

Since taking charge, Musk has implemented widespread federal workforce reductions, drawing both praise and criticism. His latest move, announced Friday, includes a 5% reduction in the civilian workforce at the US Defense Department, set to take effect next week.

These cuts follow the Trump administration’s broader effort to dismiss federal employees still under probationary status, a move aimed at increasing government efficiency but met with legal challenges and union opposition.

On Thursday, a federal judge rejected a union-backed lawsuit attempting to temporarily halt thousands of planned firings.

Backlash and Legal Hurdles for the Reform Agenda

While Musk's aggressive cost-cutting measures align with Trump’s vision of a leaner federal government, they have sparked resistance from labor unions, Democratic lawmakers, and some federal agencies.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk operates with broad authority, has faced mixed legal rulings, with courts deliberating over the constitutionality of the sweeping workforce reductions.

Despite the legal hurdles, Musk has remained steadfast, reportedly telling close aides that he is committed to drastically reducing government inefficiency and reshaping the federal bureaucracy to reflect a more business-oriented model.

What’s Next for the Government Reform Drive?

With Trump signaling that even more aggressive cost-cutting is needed, further downsizing of federal agencies could be on the horizon. The administration is also expected to expand Musk’s authority over additional government restructuring initiatives.

As Musk pushes forward with the reform drive, the battle over the future of the US federal workforce is likely to intensify—setting the stage for political and legal clashes in the months ahead.