President Donald Trump held his first cabinet meeting on Wednesday, transforming the event into an extensive question-and-answer session that spanned over an hour. Seated alongside his cabinet members and billionaire Elon Musk—who notably donned a “tech support” T-shirt—Trump covered a wide range of policy topics, from government spending cuts and economic reforms to Ukraine and trade tariffs.
Trump Praises Rubio and Musk
During the meeting, Trump was asked about resistance to his policy changes within the government. He responded by expressing satisfaction with his cabinet selections while acknowledging that “some groups are much easier than others.” Notably, he singled out two individuals for praise—Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Elon Musk.
Despite Musk not holding an official cabinet position, Trump commended his contributions, particularly in streamlining government functions. He reiterated his administration’s focus on reducing bureaucracy, stating, “We want to have a balanced budget within a reasonably short period of time… meaning maybe by next year or maybe the year after.” His endorsement of Musk highlights the billionaire’s increasing influence on government policy, particularly through his involvement in cost-cutting measures.
Addressing Potential Cabinet Tensions
Trump also addressed speculation about possible tensions between Musk and his cabinet, particularly concerning the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), an agency Musk has been instrumental in advising. While some reports suggested internal disagreements over Musk’s aggressive push for downsizing, Trump dismissed these claims.
“They have a lot of respect for Elon and what he’s doing,” Trump said, adding that while “some disagree a little bit,” most cabinet members were “thrilled” with his efforts. To emphasize unity, Trump directly asked cabinet members if anyone had concerns about Musk. No one spoke up.
Musk defended Doge’s initiatives, arguing that the agency serves as a “support function” aimed at eliminating fraud and waste. He admitted, however, that mistakes had been made, citing an incident where Ebola prevention efforts were mistakenly canceled before being reinstated. “When we make mistakes, we’ll fix them very quickly,” Musk assured.
A Warning to Federal Workers
Trump also backed Musk’s controversial email to federal employees, which required them to list five accomplishments from the past week or risk termination. He suggested that some of the one million federal workers who failed to respond might not even exist.
“Maybe they’re going to be gone,” Trump speculated, implying that the administration was working to identify those who were unresponsive. He further encouraged his cabinet members to implement their own cost-cutting measures within their agencies, mirroring Doge’s approach.
A key target for downsizing is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), led by Lee Zeldin. Trump suggested that the agency could see its workforce slashed by up to 65%. The administration’s aggressive approach to government downsizing marks one of its most controversial moves yet, with critics warning of significant disruptions to essential services.
Further Federal Staff Reductions Ordered
In a follow-up move, the White House issued a memo later in the day directing all federal agencies to submit plans for “significant reductions” in their workforce by March 13. The memo called for identifying non-essential employees and limiting new hires to a ratio of one for every four people let go.
These layoffs would be in addition to the nearly 10,000 federal workers already dismissed earlier this month, as well as the 75,000 who accepted voluntary severance packages in the fall. Exemptions, however, would apply to positions in law enforcement, border security, immigration enforcement, and the military.
The latest directive signals Trump’s determination to fulfill his campaign promise of reducing the size of the federal government. However, unions representing federal workers have vowed to challenge these cuts, arguing they could severely impact government operations.
Trump Confirms Zelensky’s Visit, Trade Talks on the Table
Trump confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit the White House on Friday, marking the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Trump’s return to office.
The meeting is expected to center around an expansive minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine, though details remain unclear. Trump suggested that the agreement would help the U.S. recoup funds sent to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion, saying, “We’re going to get a lot of money in the future, and I think that’s appropriate because our taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill.”
While Trump framed the deal as a financial win for the U.S., Zelensky has described it as preliminary and emphasized the need for additional security guarantees. Trump, however, stated that future security assurances should come from Europe, not the U.S. His stance on limiting American commitments to Ukraine is likely to be a focal point of Friday’s discussions.
EU Tariffs Coming ‘Very Soon’
One of the most significant announcements from the meeting was Trump’s confirmation that his administration will impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from the European Union.
“We’ll be announcing it very soon,” Trump said, emphasizing that the tariffs would apply to cars and various other products. He accused the EU of exploiting the U.S. by restricting American exports, stating, “They don’t accept our cars. They don’t accept our farm products. They use all sorts of reasons why not.”
Trump was also questioned about his plans for tariffs on Canada and Mexico. While he previously agreed to delay imposing 25% tariffs on both countries for 30 days, he confirmed that the measure will take effect on April 2. “Not all of them, but a lot of them,” he said, calling the move “amazing.”
The looming tariffs risk escalating tensions with key trading partners and could lead to retaliatory measures from the EU, Canada, and Mexico. Business groups have warned that such tariffs could drive up consumer prices and disrupt supply chains.
Trump’s first cabinet meeting underscored his administration’s aggressive stance on government downsizing, trade policy, and foreign relations. His praise for Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency highlights a continued push for drastic spending cuts, while his plans for tariffs signal a more protectionist trade policy.
The upcoming meeting with Zelensky and the administration’s stance on Ukraine suggest a shift in U.S. foreign policy, with Trump prioritizing economic gains over security commitments. Meanwhile, his efforts to streamline the federal workforce are likely to face legal and political challenges.
As Trump moves forward with his agenda, the coming months will determine how these policies impact both domestic governance and America’s standing on the global stage
