Donald Trump actually said...

The experiment of controlling American education through Federal programs and dollars ... has failed our children.

It's very important that we cut levels down to where they should be, but it's also important to keep the best and most productive people.

Musk was empowered to make recommendations to the departments but not to issue unilateral decisions on staffing and policy.

We say the 'scalpel' rather than the 'hatchet.'