Mar 7, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Trump promises "scalpel rather than the hatchet" in cuts to federal workforce

Mike Allen

A Trump Truth Social post that starts: "The Golden Age of America has just begun! Over the past six weeks, our Administration has delivered on promises like no Administration before it, always putting America First!" — Via Truth Social

President Trump said in a Truth Social post Thursday that he's directed Cabinet secretaries and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to work together for "very precise" cuts of federal workers.

"We say the 'scalpel' rather than the 'hatchet,'" Trump asserted — the opposite of the approach until now.

Between the lines: The move "appeared to be a step aimed at restraining Elon Musk," the New York Times' Eileen Sullivan and Maggie Haberman write (gift link).

What he's saying: Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that his message to Cabinet secretaries is: "Keep all the people you want — everybody that you need ... The people that aren't doing a good job — that are unreliable, don't show up to work, etc. — those people can be cut."

"Elon and [DOGE] are going to be watching them," Trump added. "And if they can cut, it's better. And if they don't cut, then Elon will do the cutting."

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Trump promises "scalpel rather than the hatchet" in cuts to federal workforce

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