USA TODAY Trump, joined by Musk in Oval Office, orders up big cuts in federal workforce Joey Garrison, USA TODAY Tue, February 11, 2025 at 1:37 PM PST5 min read 13.8k Videos cannot play due to a network issue. Please check your Internet connection and try again. Error Code: 400-750 Session Id: m26j65bs (Pls: 1b746780-01d4-4cad-8d1c-aa5f0910a66f) WASHINGTON ― Joined by Elon Musk in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday that seeks to significantly reduce the size of government by instructing heads of federal departments and agencies to undertake plans for "large-scale reductions in force." Trump's newest order directs the federal government to implement a "workforce optimization initiative" created by Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, which has been moving rapidly from one department to another to slash spending and gut programs. "It's not optional to reduce federal expenses, it's essential," Musk, wearing a black MAGA hat and joined by his son, X, said in remarks standing next to Trump, who was seated behind the Resolute Desk. Musk called the federal bureaucracy an "unelected, fourth, unconstitutional branch of government" that must be held accountable. More: 5 ways Elon Musk is working to dismantle the federal government "The people voted for major government reform and that’s what the people are going to get,” Musk said, responding to detractors who call DOGE's involvement a hostile takeover. “That’s what democracy is all about.” Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk joins U.S. President Donald Trump during an executive order signing in the Oval Office at the White House on February 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk joins U.S. President Donald Trump during an executive order signing in the Oval Office at the White House on February 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. Agency heads are ordered to "coordinate and consult with DOGE to shrink the size of the federal workforce and limit hiring to essential positions," the White House said in a summary of the order. "Agency heads shall promptly undertake preparations to initiate large-scale reductions in force, consistent with applicable law," the order reads. It states that "all offices that perform functions not mandated by statute or other law" should be prioritized in the cuts. Musk vows transparency, wants to 'right-size' workforce Trump did not sign the order while reporters were present inside the Oval Office but did so after media members were escorted out, the White House confirmed. "We've already found billions of dollars of abuse incompetence and corruption," Trump said of DOGE's efforts to find wasteful spending, which both Trump and Musk repeatedly called "fraud" during a more than 30-minute exchange with reporters. Their joint appearance marked the first time the billionaire SpaceX CEO has taken questions from reporters in a public setting since he's assumed power in Trump's second term. Musk took several questions from reporters, defending DOGE's accountability and insisting he won't engage in work that poses potential conflicts of interest. Through SpaceX, Musk has billions of dollars in contacts with the Pentagon. "All are actions are fully public," Musk said, adding that observers won't hesitate about flagging conflicts. "It's not like people are going to be shy about saying that. They'll say it immediately." U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as Elon Musk carries his son X on his shoulders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 11, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as Elon Musk carries his son X on his shoulders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 11, 2025. The new order comes as Trump's administration has offered buyouts to nearly all 2.3 million federal employees in a push to drastically reduce the federal workforce. But the offer, which would pay employees through September if they agree to resign, is currently held up in court after a federal judge in Massachusetts extended a pause Monday to hear arguments from both sides in a legal challenge brought by federal employees unions.