Billionaire Elon Musk is telling Republican lawmakers that he is not to blame for the firings of thousands of federal workers, including veterans, as pushes to downsize the government. Instead, he said in private talks this week that those decisions are left to the various federal agencies.

Elon Musk has visited Capitol Hill for private meetings with Republicans about his Department of Government Efficiency’s budget slashing

Billionaire Elon Musk began meetings with Republican lawmakers Wednesday as Congress grapples with the implications of his Department of Government Efficiency, which has recommended massive spending cuts across the federal government.

President Trump’s decision to reel in some of Elon Musk’s indiscriminate approach to slashing the federal work force reflects a growing unease among Republicans.