Musk's Government Efficiency Department has intervened in 18 federal agencies and is attempting to dismiss tens of thousands of employees

News on February 13, since the start of Trump's second term three weeks ago, his series of actions with advisor Musk have sparked widespread controversy. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Musk has intervened in 18 federal agencies, terminated 199 federal contracts, and attempted to dismiss tens of thousands of federal employees. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt criticized judicial rulings unfavorable to Trump as "abuse of the rule of law". Without congressional approval, the Trump team has suspended or canceled billions of dollars in authorized expenditures affecting areas such as medical research, agriculture and foreign aid. This has currently triggered more than 50 legal lawsuits.