The federal workforce is in for a seismic shake-up if Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have their way. The tech titans unveiled a controversial blueprint Wednesday that could lead to the firing of thousands of government employees under President-elect Donald Trump’s next administration.
In a bold Wall Street Journal op-ed, Musk and Ramaswamy explained how drastically slashing federal regulations would render many government positions obsolete. They claim their plan would make government leaner and more efficient, but critics warn it could destabilize critical agencies.
“Too Many Employees for Too Many Rules”
Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump recently appointed to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), argue that many federal employees see themselves as untouchable due to civil-service protections. But under recent Supreme Court rulings, they say Trump has the power to bypass Congress and take unilateral action to cut regulations—and the jobs enforcing them.
“Fewer rules mean fewer employees,” Musk and Ramaswamy wrote. “It’s simple math.”
They envision a federal government stripped down to perform only constitutionally mandated functions, with employees who resist returning to in-person work being encouraged to leave.
Massive Layoffs and “Voluntary Exits”
While they didn’t give exact numbers, Musk and Ramaswamy hinted that mass layoffs could be proportionate to the number of regulations axed. Agencies with bloated workforces would be pared back, and displaced employees would be “supported” in transitioning to the private sector.
The plan also includes tactics like early retirement incentives and severance payments, with Musk and Ramaswamy promising a “respectful” transition for those let go. However, no details on how this support would work were provided.
Mandating Return to Office: “Love It or Leave It”
In a move likely to ruffle feathers, Musk and Ramaswamy proposed forcing federal workers back to the office five days a week. They predict this could trigger mass resignations.
“If federal employees don’t want to show up, American taxpayers shouldn’t pay them to stay home,” the duo stated bluntly.
Supreme Court Backing: Trump’s Secret Weapon
Musk and Ramaswamy’s confidence comes from recent Supreme Court rulings that, they argue, strengthen Trump’s authority to cut through bureaucracy. They specifically referenced the 2022 West Virginia v. EPA and 2024 Loper Bright v. Raimondo decisions, which limited federal agencies’ power to enforce regulations without explicit congressional approval.
They also cited the 2021 Collins v. Yellen decision to argue Trump has the legal authority to fire federal workers through broad “reductions in force” without targeting individuals.
Critics Sound the Alarm
The plan has drawn fierce backlash from Democrats and government advocates, who accuse Trump’s team of gutting critical protections in areas like education, the environment, and health care. Critics also took jabs at Musk and Ramaswamy for needing two leaders to manage a single department, though both have pledged to work unpaid.
Despite the criticism, Musk and Ramaswamy remain unapologetic.
“We are entrepreneurs, not politicians,” they wrote. “We’re not here to cut ribbons. We’re here to cut costs.”
A Glimpse into Trump’s Vision
Musk’s growing influence in Trump’s circle was on full display earlier this week when the president-elect joined him in Brownsville, Texas, for a SpaceX launch. Now, with the DOGE project, Musk and Ramaswamy seem poised to play a key role in reshaping how government works—or doesn’t.
What do you think? Is it time to shrink the federal workforce, or is this a dangerous overreach? Share your thoughts below!
