The 2024 US election is shaping up to be a big deal, not just for Washington but for the whole world.  In the middle of all this, Donald Trump has stepped in to rein in Elon Musk's aggressive cost-cutting plans.  Trump has asked his cabinet to make sure that the most skilled federal employees are not caught up in the massive lay-offs that have been happening across the country.  This move comes as many Republican lawmakers and cabinet members have been voicing their concerns about the speed and extent of these job cuts, which have already affected at least 20, 000 federal employees, including veterans and cancer researchers.

In a meeting at the White House, attended by various secretaries and Musk, Trump hinted that Musk's Department of Government Efficiency might have been too harsh in its approach to firing federal employees.  Trump wants a more precise approach, using a "scalpel" instead of a "hatchet. "  This means keeping the best and most productive people while cutting down on unnecessary jobs.  Trump has promised to hold regular meetings every two weeks to oversee this process.

Trump's stance echoes the sentiments of New York Republican congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, who had earlier advised Musk to be more careful with his cuts to avoid unnecessary anxiety and consequences.  Senate majority leader John Thune also chimed in, saying that dismissals should be handled respectfully.  Some Republican colleagues have also gently criticized proposed cuts to scientific research, US aid spending, and the reduction of FBI agents.

In response to these concerns, Musk agreed to provide some Republican senators with his personal phone number so they could directly flag any problematic cuts.  House Speaker Mike Johnson advised Republican members of Congress not to hold in-person meetings in their districts due to loud protests over Musk's cuts in various states.

Earlier this week, the Trump administration clarified a directive that had sparked the firings, stating that it was up to individual agencies to decide whether to dismiss employees.  Last week, a federal judge barred the US government's Office of Personnel Management from firing probationary workers at specific departments, stating that the office had no authority to hire and fire employees at another agency.

Some probationary employees who were fired from the National Science Foundation last month began to be rehired on Monday.  The US government was also forced to rehire employees at the National Nuclear Security Administration last month.

This situation highlights the challenges of balancing cost-cutting measures with the need to retain skilled and productive employees.  It also raises questions about the effectiveness of Musk's Department of Government Efficiency and the broader implications of these job cuts on federal services and research.

Trump's Plan to Save Jobs

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