During his first cabinet meeting on Wednesday, President Donald Trump called upon Elon Musk to share his thoughts on strategies for minimizing the federal workforce and slashing government spending. Wearing a black “Make America Great Again” cap and a T-shirt that read “TECH SUPPORT,” Musk passionately outlined plans to cut $1 trillion from federal budgets while further reducing staff numbers. He acknowledged that his teams had occasionally gone too far, recalling a misstep where funding for Ebola outbreak prevention was unintentionally halted. “While we may not always get it right, we will promptly fix any mistakes,” he promised.
Nevertheless, these errors have proven to be both financially burdensome and embarrassing, as budget reductions are adversely affecting critical government operations like nuclear security, pandemic response, and veteran services, leading officials to reassess their strategies. Just a few weeks into Trump’s presidency, his administration has already reversed more than a dozen significant decisions.
Despite these numerous reversals, they do not detract from the aggressive pursuit of Trump’s vision for reshaping the federal government. Many of the changes introduced by the Trump administration are intended to be lasting. Thousands of federal employees have been let go from the Internal Revenue Service and the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Veterans Affairs, while even more have resigned under Musk’s influence. USAID, which oversees billions in international food and medical assistance, has also suffered significant cuts. Additionally, Musk’s claim that funding for Ebola prevention has been fully reinstated is now being questioned by both current and former officials at USAID.
The frequent reversals illustrate an administration that is moving at an astonishing pace. During Trump’s first term, many early initiatives were rolled out in a chaotic manner and faced legal challenges, such as the visa ban affecting several Muslim-majority countries and plans for a border wall. This time around, Trump’s team appears better prepared to navigate their agenda despite obstacles, according to Timothy Naftali, a presidential historian at Columbia University. Several individuals from Trump’s first term have returned, eager to push through bold initiatives that had previously faced delays. “Unlike the first term, where these errors caused paralysis, it’s now more about making rapid adjustments,” Naftali observes. “While some strategies have shifted, the fundamental policies remain unchanged.”
There’s little sign that the administration intends to slow its momentum. Trump has removed senior career officials from key agencies and taken steps to eliminate limitations on his authority, potentially setting the stage for even more drastic changes in the near future.
While Trump’s officials argue that their measures reflect a commitment to efficiency and flexibility, critics contend that the frequency of these reversals undermines public trust in the administration’s leadership.
Democrats have seized on this turmoil as evidence of dysfunction within the Republican Party, raising concerns that it could pose a significant challenge in the upcoming midterm elections. “The party associated with chaos will ultimately be the one that falters,” warned Senator John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, in a discussion with TIME.
Here’s a closer look at the ways in which the Trump Administration has backtracked on its decisions thus far.
Revoked order freezing federal grants
Just a week into Trump’s second term, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo freezing all federal loans and grants. However, two days later, the administration withdrew this order. This initial memo alarmed states, schools, and community organizations that depend on federal funding, leading to widespread legal challenges and confusion regarding its effects on vital services such as food aid and healthcare programs. A federal judge temporarily blocked part of the aid freeze, but the administration is appealing this decision to the Supreme Court.
Initially, the freeze was presented as a necessary step in a broader review to ensure that federal spending aligned with Trump’s executive orders, which included the termination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. However, following a swift backlash, the administration reversed its position. Nonetheless, many programs have reportedly not yet resumed funding, affecting areas such as medical research, infrastructure projects, and food assistance.
Reversed decision to end free COVID testing program
In mid-February, the Trump Administration retracted its plan to end the government’s free COVID-19 testing distribution program just moments before its website, COVIDtests.gov, was set to go offline. This program, which provides free tests directly to households across the U.S., was seen as essential during the pandemic’s peak. As the spread of the virus began to wane, officials at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) assessed the costs of disposing of over 160 million unused tests.
Public health experts and lawmakers expressed skepticism, warning that destroying these resources could have dire consequences if the virus were to resurge. Ultimately, HHS officials decided that unused tests would “remain in inventory until they reach their expiration date,” as reported by The Washington Post. Free COVID tests continue to be available upon request at COVIDtests.gov.
Rehired multiple laid-off federal employees
In mid-February, the Trump Administration laid off thousands of federal workers in a wave of firings that primarily targeted those on probation. New hires or employees transitioning from one agency to another often hold probationary status.
Many of those let go were involved in crucial functions such as monitoring nuclear safety, supporting pandemic response, overseeing the food supply, and managing crisis hotlines for veterans. In response to significant public outcry, Trump officials moved to rehire dozens of employees from the National Nuclear Security Administration who had been dismissed. Some bird flu experts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and food safety regulators from the Food and Drug Administration were also reinstated.
Additionally, when the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) dismissed over 1,000 probationary workers, it included essential staff who managed the Veterans Crisis Line, which provides critical support to veterans in distress. A week later, the VA reinstated at least two of these individuals, as reported by Senator Tammy Duckworth, a military veteran and Illinois Democrat who advocated for their return.
A union representing federal workers, the American Federation of Government Employees, filed a lawsuit on February 19, alleging that the Trump Administration unjustly terminated employees. The head of the Office of Special Counsel—a federal watchdog that Trump has sought to dismiss—has submitted complaints to the Merit Systems Protection Board, asserting that the firings were unwarranted and violated the law under 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(12), which governs employee terminations and layoffs. According to the Office of Special Counsel, probationary employees can only be dismissed if their performance or conduct is deemed unfit for federal employment.
Unintended cancellation of Ebola prevention program at USAID
During Trump’s initial cabinet meeting, Musk acknowledged that DOGE “accidentally canceled” USAID’s efforts to combat Ebola outbreaks while one was ongoing in Uganda—a decision he claims was quickly reversed. “I think we can all agree on the necessity of Ebola prevention,” he stated. “There was no disruption.”
However, few specific details were provided regarding the restoration of cuts, and former USAID officials assert that Ebola prevention efforts have stagnated since Musk and his DOGE associates moved to dismantle the global assistance agency and halt outgoing payments. “I’ve led Ebola outbreak responses at @USAID. This is simply untrue from Elon,” stated Jeremy Konyndyk, former director of USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance during the Obama era, on X. “They have laid off most of the experts, are financially crippling most partner organizations, have withdrawn from WHO, and have silenced the CDC.”
The CDC has reported nine confirmed cases of the Sudan virus—one of six identified strains of Ebola—in Uganda, including one fatality, since an outbreak was declared there on January 30.
Rehired staff from the 9/11 health program
Following funding and staffing reductions at a healthcare program aimed at individuals affected by toxic debris from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Trump Administration reversed this decision. The turnaround was driven by criticism from families of first responders who were frustrated that research into the long-term impacts of toxins would be halted. This move also drew ire from congressional Republicans from New York, who wrote to Trump urging him to rescind the cuts.
“This staffing reduction will only complicate the program’s ability to oversee contracts and care for its members, who are the brave individuals who responded to danger and assisted in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks,” they stated in their letter to Trump.
In light of the backlash, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which oversees the World Trade Center Health Program, announced that it had reinstated two research grants and rehired employees who had been laid off. Approximately 20% of the program’s workforce had been terminated as part of the initial cuts. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader, remarked that the program “should never have been on the chopping block in the first place.”
Announced new tariffs and then postponed them
The Trump Administration has issued mixed and at times conflicting messages regarding the timeline for imposing tariffs on trading partners. During his Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump indicated that he would delay the 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico until April 2, just two days after previously stating they would take effect on March 4—and well beyond the original date of February 1. However, the following day, Trump retracted those comments and declared via social media that the tariffs would indeed begin on March 4. He also mentioned that China would face an additional 10% tariff on March 4, in addition to the 10% imposed in February.
U.S. Postal Service reversed decision on packages from China
In early February, the U.S. Postal Service made a rapid decision to halt and then quickly resume acceptance of packages from China within 24 hours. This abrupt change caused confusion throughout the complex international parcel system and among suppliers reliant on timely deliveries between China and the U.S. Customers of Chinese discount retailers like Temu and Shein faced uncertainty regarding their online purchases.
The temporary suspension began with a notice on the U.S. Postal Service website stating that it would “temporarily suspend” acceptance of international packages from China and Hong Kong starting February 4. Trump Administration officials expressed concerns that small package deliveries could provide a possible loophole for Chinese businesses to evade Trump’s 10% tariff on imports.
However, the U.S. Postal Service reversed its decision within a day. A new advisory on usps.com stated that effective February 5, the U.S. would accept “all international inbound mail and packages” from China and Hong Kong. The message indicated that USPS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection were collaborating to find a way to collect Trump’s tariffs on goods from China to minimize disruption in package delivery.
Trump’s remarks on Ukraine and subsequent clarification
On February 18, Trump stated that Ukraine “should have never started” the war against Russia that began three years prior, eliciting widespread condemnation from the international community. A few days later, he clarified his position, affirming that Russia was indeed the aggressor. “Russia attacked, but they shouldn’t have allowed him to do so,” Trump told Fox News Radio when asked for clarification. The conflict erupted on February 24, 2022, when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered military action against Ukraine, launching attacks across the country, including in Kyiv.
Trump, who had pledged during his campaign that he would resolve the conflict on his first day in office, claimed he is “trying to recover” the funds previously allocated to Ukraine by the prior administration. However, his relationship with Ukraine has soured recently as he labeled President Volodymyr Zelensky “a dictator” and asserted that Zelensky’s support among voters is at an all-time low. When asked on February 27 if he still regarded Zelensky as a dictator, Trump responded, “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that. Next question.”
Confusion over Musk’s recent email directive
An email sent from the Trump Administration to federal employees, titled “What did you do last week?” has led to some confusion. The message requested workers to reply with five examples of their recent activities without revealing classified information. In a post on X, Musk suggested that failure to respond would be taken as a resignation. However, various agencies advised employees to disregard this request, contrasting with Musk’s directive. During a White House briefing on Tuesday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that agency heads had the discretion to interpret Musk’s ultimatum.
The next day, at the cabinet meeting with Musk, Trump contradicted Leavitt and other Cabinet members, implying that federal workers who hadn’t replied to the email “are on the bubble, as they say; maybe they’re going to be gone.”
A federal employee from the Veterans Health Administration, who spoke to TIME on the condition of anonymity, expressed that he and his colleagues have experienced considerable stress due to the administration’s “inconsistency.” He described Musk’s recent directive as yet another attempt by the administration “to intimidate the federal workforce and make their lives miserable in hopes they’ll quit.”
Moreover, Trump has contradicted his own White House regarding Musk’s role in the administration, asserting that Musk is in charge of DOGE. In a previous court filing, however, the White House stated that Musk serves as a senior adviser to the President and has no authority over DOGE nor is he an employee of that program.
