The White House distanced itself from Elon Musk’s call to impeach federal judges after a ruling unwound some of the Department of Government Efficiency’s staff cuts last week.
Billionaire and Department of Government Efficiency leader Elon Musk said last week that “the absolute worst” judges should be impeached after a federal judge appointed by former President Bill Clinton ruled that the Trump administration had to rehire thousands of probationary employees who were fired as part of the administration’s effort’s to slim down the federal government.
“Without judicial reform, which means at least the absolute worst judges get impeached, we don’t have real democracy in America,” he wrote on X.
But White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt noted on Monday that such calls have not been espoused by President Donald Trump.
“I have not heard the president talk about impeaching judges,” she said when asked about the statement. “I know you mentioned Mr. Musk’s tweet, but I have not heard the president of the United States ask that.”
While that was all she said on the matter, it could be a sign of the Trump administration distancing itself from Musk as the South African continues courting controversy within the government.
Trump convened his Cabinet earlier this month to reiterate that administration leaders, not DOGE, have the final say on hiring and firing amid reports of tension between Musk and Cabinet officials.
Musk has increasingly faced legal setbacks, Democratic protests, and even some Republican griping amid his aggressive efforts to slash the federal workforce.
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Other examples include Vice President JD Vance saying that Musk has made “mistakes” following the Cabinet meeting, and Trump adviser Chris LaCivita reiterating that Musk is “not president” when the world’s richest man made controversial comments about cutting Social Security.
Trump remains very close with Musk, and they have made regular flights aboard Air Force One together. Trump responded to calls to boycott Musk’s Tesla car company by hosting a Tesla car show at the White House last week.