U.S. President Donald Trump is set to hold his first Cabinet meeting on Wednesday since returning to office last month. With most of his nominees now confirmed by Congress, the meeting aims to advance his administration’s policy agenda.
Among the high-profile attendees is billionaire entrepreneur and key Trump ally Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk’s controversial agency has already moved to dismiss thousands of federal employees in a bid to streamline government operations.
Despite not holding an official Cabinet position, Musk is classified as a “special government employee” and serves as a senior adviser to the president, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Contentious Cabinet Picks Spark Debate
Musk, Trump’s top donor during the 2024 presidential campaign, will not be the only divisive figure at the meeting. Among the most debated members of Trump’s administration are:
- Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal vaccine skeptic.
- Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, known for promoting conspiracy theories.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host facing past allegations of misconduct.
Despite pushback from Democrats and public health experts, the U.S. Senate has confirmed all of Trump’s Cabinet selections thus far. The Republican-controlled Senate, with its narrow majority, has largely backed Trump’s choices, reinforcing his dominance over the party.
One notable exception was former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who was the sole Republican to oppose Kennedy’s appointment as Health Secretary. McConnell’s dissent stemmed from Kennedy’s history of spreading vaccine misinformation and his plan to suspend federal research on infectious diseases.
Senate Confirmation Still Pending for Key Positions
Several Trump appointees are still awaiting Senate confirmation, including:
- Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Secretary of Labor.
- Linda McMahon, Trump’s former Small Business Administrator, who is expected to return to the role.
Musk Faces Internal Revolt at DOGE
Meanwhile, Musk has already encountered resistance within his newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). On Tuesday, one-third of DOGE employees resigned in protest following Musk’s mass email to two million federal workers, demanding that they justify their roles or risk termination.
Government agencies have largely advised employees to disregard the DOGE directive, with many departments reassuring staff that their positions remain secure. Despite this, thousands of probationary employees—those recently hired or promoted—have already been dismissed since Trump’s inauguration.
Political Turmoil and the Road Ahead
As Trump convenes his first Cabinet meeting, his administration faces significant political and public resistance. With Musk’s aggressive approach to government downsizing and the controversial Cabinet picks, Trump’s second term is already proving to be as polarizing as his first.