Elon Musk’s influence within the federal government is expanding—and employees are growing increasingly fearful as his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gains access to a controversial software called AutoRIF. This powerful program could enable mass firings at lightning speed.
The news broke Tuesday in a shocking Wired report, revealing Musk’s department now has access to a specialized government tool designed specifically for identifying employees eligible to be terminated.
What is AutoRIF?
The software, officially called AutoRIF, helps agencies create a list of employees who can legally be fired under specific conditions.
Typically, these lists must be checked carefully by human resource personnel before anyone can actually lose their jobs—but Musk’s involvement has sparked fears that the checks and balances could be ignored or minimized.
“Even with automated systems like AutoRIF, federal guidelines require data to be manually confirmed, and workers must have the chance to review it,” a former human resources official explained to Wired.
But with Musk in the driver’s seat, critics worry these protections won’t last.
Fears of Mass Layoffs Skyrocket
The first wave of layoffs already hit probationary employees, those without strong job protections because they recently switched positions or were newly hired. Now, federal workers fear a much bigger, second wave is looming—one that could target long-term, protected employees.
With AutoRIF’s help, Musk’s DOGE department could accelerate the termination process dramatically. Wired reports employees are terrified that “large-scale firings could roll out even more quickly”, leaving thousands at risk.
Trump’s Partnership with Musk Comes Under Fire
Musk’s involvement in personnel decisions at the federal level was already controversial, but now critics are openly questioning why he was ever granted this much power.
CNN commentator S.E. Cupp recently called Musk’s growing influence in government agencies a major “conflict of interest”, noting that he’s firing employees who investigate his companies and simultaneously gaining control of essential government systems.
Critics online described Musk’s growing influence as “bond villain stuff,” with one Twitter user calling it “a national security nightmare.”
The Fear of an ‘AI-Driven’ Purge
What scares federal employees most is the possibility that Musk’s AI-driven tools, like AutoRIF, could bypass human oversight entirely, turning government employment into something resembling a machine-driven firing line.
As one anonymous federal worker told Wired, “It feels like Elon Musk is treating government employees as disposable.”
The Big Questions Moving Forward
- Will Musk follow the rules—or speed ahead unchecked?
- Will Trump intervene if Musk’s actions become too reckless?
- Could this lead to serious legal battles?
As Musk gains more power, Americans—and the rest of the world—are watching nervously to see what happens next.
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