For weeks, Elon Musk and his team have wielded outsized influence in Washington, operating with what seemed like free rein. Now, Donald Trump is trying to change that—at least on paper.

During a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, the president reportedly reminded his top officials that they, not Musk, have the final say over their respective departments. While Musk, who was present, can offer recommendations on policies and personnel, Trump made it clear that the ultimate decisions rest with the Cabinet.

In a Truth Social post, Trump praised DOGE as "an incredible success" but emphasized a more careful approach to personnel cuts, favoring a “scalpel” over a “hatchet”—or perhaps even a chainsaw. The timing of the post, coinciding perfectly with Politico’s report on the meeting, suggests the White House wanted this message to be heard loud and clear.

Trump’s assertion of authority is one thing. The real question is whether his agency heads will actually resist Musk’s influence when push comes to shove. The billionaire still holds an extraordinary level of power, a global platform, and a well-documented disregard for traditional authority. Given his past need for SEC intervention over social media activity, it’s hard to imagine him taking a backseat in Washington.

Even within Trump’s own party, concerns over Musk’s growing influence have surfaced. Just last week, The Washington Post reported that two DOGE officials overruled Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s orders regarding foreign aid, sparking backlash from Republican lawmakers. Senator Thom Tillis voiced his frustration, stating that no one—except the president himself—should have the power to override Rubio’s decisions.

Musk’s aggressive shake-up of government agencies is also starting to backfire. According to The New York Times, many of the federal employees fired in recent weeks—including those handling food safety, pandemic response, and even nuclear security—have been quietly reinstated.

Trump, for his part, insists his administration is focused on retaining “the best and most productive people.” But as Musk continues to push boundaries, the real challenge may not be keeping the best—it may be keeping them at all.