Donald Trump convened his first cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday, a session that exceeded an hour and evolved into an extended dialogue with attendees. Among the notable figures present was Elon Musk, sporting a "tech support" T-shirt, although he is not a cabinet member. Trump expressed strong support for Musk's efforts, particularly those of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), emphasizing its mission to reduce government spending and shrink the federal workforce.
The meeting highlighted Musk's controversial email to federal employees, which demanded they list five recent accomplishments or face potential job loss. This communication reached approximately one million federal workers. Trump asserted that the cabinet is fully supportive of this initiative, speculating without evidence that some non-responsive employees might "not exist."
"We're trying to figure out who those people are who haven't responded" – Donald Trump
The administration's stance on international trade was another focal point, with Trump declaring the imposition of a 25% tariff on goods made in the European Union set to commence on April 2. He also hinted at forthcoming tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico. These moves occur against the backdrop of a notable decline in detentions of illegal migrants at the southern border.
In matters of foreign policy, Trump announced that the United States would no longer provide security guarantees to Ukraine, suggesting that Europe should assume this responsibility. Despite this shift, the U.S. and Ukraine are poised to sign a significant minerals deal, though details remain scant. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to visit the White House on Friday to finalize this agreement.
Within domestic affairs, Trump indicated that the Environmental Protection Agency might see a workforce reduction of up to 65%. He encouraged other cabinet members to implement similar cost-cutting measures within their own agencies, referencing Musk's initiative.
"But when we make mistakes we'll fix it very quickly" – Elon Musk
The meeting also touched upon operational security, with Trump noting a more selective approach when dealing with personnel involved in classified activities.
"We're being a little more surgical in situations where people are doing classified stuff" – Donald Trump
Trump's endorsement of Musk and Doge underscores a broader push toward efficiency within the federal government. The initiatives discussed in the meeting reflect a strategic shift focusing on fiscal responsibility and streamlined operations across various departments.