President Donald Trump is preparing to convene his first Cabinet meeting since returning to office last month, aimed at advancing his agenda with key nominees. One notable figure in attendance will be Elon Musk, who, although not holding a formal ministerial position, heads the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk, a major donor to Trump’s 2024 campaign, has been tasked with overseeing efforts to reduce the federal workforce, including plans to fire thousands of federal employees. Despite not having decision-making authority like other Cabinet members, Musk is classified as a special government employee and senior adviser to the president.
The meeting will also include several controversial figures. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his skepticism toward vaccines, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who has publicly espoused conspiracy theories, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host with allegations of sexual assault, will all be present.
Trump’s Cabinet picks have faced significant scrutiny, particularly from Democrats, over their qualifications and contentious backgrounds. However, all of Trump’s Cabinet choices have been approved by the US Senate, despite objections from some members of the opposition. Trump’s control over the Republican Party is evident in the narrow majority the party holds in the Senate, where dissent has largely diminished.
