President Trump's chief adviser and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, along with personnel from the seven Government Efficiency Bureaus (DOGE), defended the recent departures from the advisory committee, asserting that “lmao no one has been fired.”
During an extensive hour-long interview with Fox's Bret Baier on a “special report” featuring Musk, she expressed her perspective on government efficiency and pledged to hasten the modernization of the governmental system while supporting the Social Security Bureau’s efforts often criticized by Democrats.
Anthony Armstrong, a previous banker at Morgan Stanley, who is currently employed at DOGE within the Department of Human Resources (OPM), stated in an interview on Thursday that the majority of employees “exit government mainly through voluntary means.”
“We have voluntary early retirement options. There are separation payments available. We’ve implemented a delayed resignation program, an eight-month retirement initiative,” Armstrong explained. “Thus, there’s a strong inclination toward long-standing programs that are quite generous and allow individuals to pursue new roles in the private sector.”
“And there has been substantial media coverage regarding RIFs and firings. Currently, under 0.15, not under 0.15, but under 0.15 of the federal workforce has actually been subjected to RIFs. [Reduction in Force] Armstrong informed Baier.
Armstrong echoed Trump's sentiment, asserting that DOGE’s mission was “not Messalpel.” [a] Hand hatch. ”
“That’s how we operate, and when such decisions are taken, the focus is on treating everyone with generosity, compassion, dignity, and respect,” DOGE members remarked on Thursday.
Musk then noted, “Basically, nearly no one has been terminated. That’s our statement.”
Thousands of federal employees have faced termination or buyout offers as DOGE advocates for governmental reforms, cost reductions, enhanced efficiency, and the elimination of waste, although many have been reinstated following judicial orders.
In addition to employee reductions, DOGE is also attempting to disassemble government departments and agencies, effectively attempting to dismantle the US Organization for International Development (USAID), the body tasked with global humanitarian aid. Earlier this month, a federal judge determined that DOGE possibly acted unconstitutionally in its efforts to shut down USAID.
“In the context of government, I believe we’re progressing at lightning speed. In relation to my previous experiences, it’s slower than I’d prefer,” Musk remarked on Thursday. “Thus, what may appear as incredibly rapid action by governmental standards is, quite frankly, slower than I want.”
