Republican senators expressed frustration over tech billionaire Elon Musk’s actions regarding federal spending freezes and job cuts during a private meeting with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles on Wednesday.
The meeting took place in the Mansfield Room, just outside the Senate chamber. Some GOP senators raised concerns about the lack of transparency from Musk and his team as they make changes at federal agencies, including cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which recently laid off 1,400 employees. According to sources familiar with the meeting, Musk’s team has not responded to senators’ requests for information.
“Every day’s another surprise,” said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), commenting on the ongoing changes from Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Collins suggested that a more thoughtful approach would work better than Musk’s “sledgehammer approach,” which she said lacked proper review. “It would be better to allow Cabinet secretaries to carefully review their departments and then make surgical, strategic decisions on what programs and people should be cut and then come back to Congress for approval,” Collins added.
A second senator also voiced concerns about Musk’s leadership at DOGE, saying some colleagues shared stories of how the funding freezes and staff cuts have affected their constituents.
“They were presenting some of the compelling stories and some of them shared about terminations at VA hospitals and how it impacted constituents and how there was no answer” from Musk’s team, the senator said. Another senator added, “Who do we bring it to when we have these issues?”
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) is actively seeking answers, especially regarding the impact of the firing of 2,400 probationary VA employees. Moran explained, “We’re asking that question. We want to know [what] positions [are affected]. We’ve been reassured that it doesn’t affect direct care, but we’re looking for more information.”
Moran said the Department of Veterans Affairs has been providing some information, but not everything they need. He also mentioned wanting to hear from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) about which positions are being eliminated and how that will affect federal services and benefits.
In response to the concerns, Wiles encouraged senators to contact her directly if they face issues related to Musk’s changes. “She’s been very responsive,” said Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.). “Some guys wanted to know, ‘OK, in regard to DOGE, who do you call in the Cabinet? Or should we call her?’”
Hoeven explained that Musk’s team of engineers, brought in to cut costs, may be uncovering areas to reduce but are not good at communicating those changes. “She recognizes that she and the agencies need to coordinate with us to address the various issues that come up,” Hoeven added.
Musk himself dominated attention at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, where he defended his email demanding all federal workers report their accomplishments. While Musk isn’t officially part of Trump’s Cabinet, the president gave him the floor to speak first, and Musk took the opportunity to discuss his role. At one point, Trump told Musk, “Elon, let the Cabinet speak just a second.”
Musk’s approach has raised concerns among some senators, who argue that Trump’s Cabinet officials should lead decisions about layoffs and other major changes. They are also calling for more transparency about Musk’s role and methods in reshaping the federal workforce.
“I think it’s always going to help if we’re going to get more information on the method,” said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who noted that some of his colleagues will visit the White House on Thursday for a briefing on DOGE. “I do think briefings help us,” Tillis added.
Tillis also suggested that Musk and DOGE should serve as advisers to Trump’s Cabinet officials, rather than taking the lead on policy decisions. “We’re talking about governmental entities, a lot of complexity. That’s why I believe that DOGE will most likely morph into being an adviser to these Senate-confirmed heads of agencies fairly soon,” he said. “Otherwise, I just have a real problem.”
He explained that if he were confirmed as the head of an agency, he wouldn’t want someone else to act as his boss. “At the end of the day, you’ve got to have all those employees thinking that you’re looking out for the agencies and their best interests,” Tillis said.
Tillis also emphasized that Trump’s Cabinet officials need to balance Musk’s recommendations with their responsibilities to run their agencies effectively. “They need to say, ‘This is all good stuff, but now it has to go into the context of everything else I’m doing to run this agency, not just efficiencies.’ Because you’ve still got to keep the lights on, you’ve still got to provide acceptable service levels for the people that you’re tasked with serving,” he said.
Some senators have also heard complaints from their constituents who are worried about losing federal grants or their jobs. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) urged Musk on Tuesday to treat federal workers “respectfully.” “I think that any process you undergo where you’re trying to find efficiencies, if that involves reductions in force, it needs to be done in a respectful way, obviously respectful of the people involved,” Thune said.
