During his first cabinet meeting on Wednesday, President Donald Trump invited Elon Musk to discuss strategies aimed at streamlining the federal workforce and trimming government spending. Dressed in a black “Make America Great Again” cap and a T-shirt that read “TECH SUPPORT,” Musk enthusiastically outlined his ambitious goal of cutting $1 trillion from federal budgets while also reducing staff numbers. He acknowledged that some of the teams he sent to various agencies had occasionally exceeded their mandates, recalling a particular incident where funding for Ebola outbreak prevention was “accidentally” cut. “We might not hit the mark every single time, but we’ll fix any mistakes promptly,” he reassured attendees.

However, these blunders are proving to be both costly and embarrassing, as the budget reductions are affecting critical government functions such as nuclear security, pandemic response, and veteran services, leading officials to reverse some of their earlier decisions. In less than six weeks since Trump took office, his administration has already reversed more than a dozen major decisions.

Despite these numerous reversals, they do not overshadow the extent to which Trump’s administration is committed to realizing his vision for reshaping the federal government. Many of the changes enacted by Trump appear to be permanent. Thousands of federal employees from agencies like the Internal Revenue Service, Defense, Energy, and Veterans Affairs have been let go, while tens of thousands more have chosen to resign due to Musk’s influence. Additionally, USAID, which allocates billions for global food and medical aid, has been notably weakened. Moreover, Musk’s claim that funding for Ebola prevention has been fully restored is now being scrutinized by both current and former USAID officials.

The frequency of these reversals points to an administration operating at a frenetic pace. During Trump’s first term, many early actions were implemented chaotically and faced legal hurdles, such as the visa ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries and the plans for a border wall. Now, Trump’s team seems more prepared to advance their agenda, even in the face of setbacks, according to Timothy Naftali, a presidential historian at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. Many individuals who served in Trump’s first term have returned, eager to implement bold initiatives that were previously stalled. “Unlike the first term, where these errors led to paralysis, now it’s more about making rapid adjustments,” Naftali observes. “While some tactics have evolved, the fundamental policies remain the same.”

There are few indications that the administration will slow its momentum. Trump has dismissed senior career officials in key agencies and taken other steps to remove constraints on his authority, potentially setting the stage for even more radical changes in the months ahead.

While Trump’s officials argue that their actions reflect a commitment to efficiency and adaptability, critics contend that the frequency of these reversals erodes public trust in the administration’s leadership.

Democrats are capitalizing on this confusion, interpreting it as a sign of dysfunction within the Republican Party and speculating that it could lead to formidable challenges in the midterm elections. “The party associated with chaos will ultimately stumble,” warns Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, in a discussion with TIME.

Here’s a look at some of the ways the Trump Administration has reversed decisions thus far.

Canceled order freezing federal grants

Just a week into Trump’s second term, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo that froze all federal loans and grants. However, two days later, this order was rescinded. The initial memo raised alarms among states, schools, and community organizations that depend on federal funding, resulting in widespread legal challenges and uncertainty regarding its effects on vital services like food assistance and healthcare programs. A federal judge temporarily blocked part of the aid freeze, but the administration has appealed this ruling to the Supreme Court.

Initially, the freeze was defended as part of a broader review to ensure that federal spending aligned with Trump’s executive orders, which included the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. However, following swift backlash, the administration reversed course. Nonetheless, many programs have reportedly not yet resumed funding, affecting areas such as medical research, infrastructure projects, and food assistance.

Reversed decision on free COVID testing program

In mid-February, the Trump Administration abruptly reversed its plan to end the government’s free COVID-19 testing distribution program just moments before its website, COVIDtests.gov, was set to go offline. This initiative, which provided free tests directly to households across the U.S., was regarded as a vital resource during the height of the pandemic. As the virus’s spread slowed, officials at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) began considering the costs of disposing of over 160 million unused tests.

Public health experts and lawmakers expressed their concerns, arguing that destroying these resources could have dire consequences if the virus were to resurge. Ultimately, HHS officials decided to keep the unused tests in inventory until they reach their expiration date, as reported by The Washington Post. Free COVID tests continue to be available upon request at COVIDtests.gov.

Reinstated laid-off federal employees

In mid-February, the Trump Administration laid off thousands of federal workers, particularly targeting those on probation. Typically, new hires or employees transitioning between agencies are in probationary status.

Many of those terminated were engaged in essential functions such as overseeing nuclear safety, supporting pandemic response, managing the food supply, and operating crisis hotlines for veterans. In response to significant public outcry, Trump officials moved to rehire dozens of employees from the National Nuclear Security Administration who had been let go. Additionally, some bird flu specialists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and food safety regulators from the Food and Drug Administration were also brought back.

Moreover, when the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) dismissed over 1,000 probationary workers, it included staff responsible for the Veterans Crisis Line, which provides critical support to veterans in distress. A week later, the VA reinstated at least two of these individuals, as reported by Senator Tammy Duckworth, a military veteran and Illinois Democrat who advocated for their return.

A union representing federal employees, the American Federation of Government Employees, filed a lawsuit on February 19, alleging that the Trump Administration unjustly terminated employees. The head of the Office of Special Counsel—a federal watchdog Trump has attempted to dismiss—has submitted complaints to the Merit Systems Protection Board, arguing that the firings were unwarranted and violated the law under 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(12), which governs employee terminations and layoffs. According to the Office of Special Counsel, probationary employees can only be let go if their performance or conduct renders them unsuitable for federal employment.

Accidental cancellation of Ebola prevention program at USAID

During Trump’s initial cabinet meeting, Musk acknowledged that DOGE “accidentally canceled” USAID’s Ebola prevention efforts while an outbreak was occurring in Uganda—a decision he claims was quickly reversed. “I think we all agree on the necessity of Ebola prevention,” he stated. “There was no disruption.”

However, few details were provided about the restoration of cuts, and former USAID officials contend that Ebola prevention efforts have stagnated since Musk and his DOGE associates attempted to dismantle the global assistance agency and halt outgoing payments. “I’ve managed Ebola outbreak responses at @USAID. This is simply untrue from Elon,” stated Jeremy Konyndyk, former director of USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance during the Obama administration, on X. “They have laid off most of the experts, financially crippled many partner organizations, withdrawn from the WHO, and silenced the CDC.”

The CDC has reported nine confirmed cases of the Sudan virus—one of six identified strains of Ebola—in Uganda, including one fatality, since an outbreak was declared there on January 30.

Rehired staff from 9/11 health program

After implementing funding and staff reductions at a healthcare program tailored for individuals affected by toxic debris from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Trump Administration reversed this decision. The turnaround was prompted by criticism from families of first responders, who were concerned that research into the long-term effects of toxins would be halted. This move also garnered backlash from congressional Republicans from New York, who wrote to Trump urging him to reverse the cuts.

“This staff reduction will only complicate the program’s ability to oversee contracts and care for its members, who are the brave individuals who responded to danger and helped in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks,” they stated in their letter to Trump.

In light of the backlash, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which oversees the World Trade Center Health Program, announced that it had reinstated two research grants and rehired employees who had been laid off. Approximately 20% of the program’s workforce had been terminated as part of the initial cuts. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader, remarked that the program “should never have faced cuts in the first place.”

Announced new tariffs and then postponed them

The Trump Administration has provided mixed and at times contradictory information regarding the timeline for imposing tariffs on trading partners. During his Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump indicated that he would delay a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico until April 2, just two days after previously stating they would take effect on March 4—and well beyond the original date of February 1. However, the following day, Trump retracted those comments and announced via social media that the tariffs would indeed start on March 4. Additionally, he indicated that China would also encounter an added 10% tariff on March 4, on top of the 10% imposed in February.

U.S. Postal Service reversed decision on packages from China

In early February, the U.S. Postal Service made a quick decision to stop and then resume acceptance of packages from China within 24 hours. This abrupt alteration sent ripples throughout the intricate international parcel system and among suppliers reliant on seamless deliveries between China and the U.S. Customers of Chinese discount retailers like Temu and Shein faced uncertainty regarding the status of their online orders.

The temporary suspension began with a notice posted on the U.S. Postal Service website stating that it would “temporarily suspend” acceptance of international packages from China and Hong Kong starting February 4. Trump Administration officials expressed concerns that small package deliveries could serve as a potential loophole for Chinese businesses to evade Trump’s 10% tariff on imports.

However, the U.S. Postal Service reversed its decision within a day. A new advisory on usps.com stated that effective February 5, the U.S. would accept “all international inbound mail and packages” from China and Hong Kong. The message indicated that USPS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection were collaborating to find a way to collect Trump’s tariffs on goods from China while minimizing disruption in package delivery.

Trump’s remarks on Ukraine and subsequent reversal

On February 18, Trump stated that Ukraine “should have never started” the war against Russia that began three years ago, prompting widespread backlash from the international community. A few days later, he clarified his position, affirming that Russia was indeed the aggressor. “Russia attacked, but they shouldn’t have allowed him to do so,” Trump told Fox News Radio when seeking clarification. The conflict erupted on February 24, 2022, when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered military action against Ukraine, launching attacks across the country, including in Kyiv.

Trump, who promised during his campaign to resolve the conflict on his first day in office, claimed he is “trying to recover” the funds previously allocated to Ukraine by the preceding administration. However, his relationship with Ukraine has recently soured, as he labeled President Volodymyr Zelensky “a dictator” and asserted that Zelensky’s support among voters is at an all-time low. When asked on February 27 if he still considered Zelensky a dictator, Trump responded, “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that. Next question.”

Contradictions over Musk’s recent email directive

An email sent from the Trump Administration to federal employees, titled “What did you do last week?” has generated some confusion. The message requested employees to reply with five examples of their recent activities, provided they did not disclose classified information. In a post on X, Musk suggested that failure to respond would be seen as a resignation. However, several agencies advised employees to disregard this request, creating a divergence from Musk’s directive. During a White House briefing on Tuesday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that agency heads had the discretion to interpret Musk’s ultimatum.

The following day, at the cabinet meeting with Musk, Trump contradicted Leavitt and other Cabinet members, suggesting that federal employees who hadn’t responded to the email “are on the bubble, as they say; maybe they’re going to be gone.”

A federal employee from the Veterans Health Administration, who spoke to TIME on the condition of anonymity, expressed that he and his colleagues have been under considerable stress due to the administration’s “inconsistency.” He characterized Musk’s recent directive as yet another attempt by the administration “to intimidate the federal workforce and make their lives miserable in hopes they’ll quit.”

Moreover, Trump has also contradicted his own White House regarding Musk’s role in the administration, claiming that Musk is in charge of DOGE. In an earlier court filing, however, the White House stated that Musk serves as a senior adviser to the President and has no authority over DOGE nor is he an employee of that program.