As President Donald Trump and Elon Musk lay waste to scores of federal programs and the careers of thousands of government workers, Republicans on Capitol Hill have mostly kept their objections to themselves — with one big exception.

Military veterans are among those being hit hardest by Trump’s austerity push, which threatens many of their jobs as well as health care and other benefits. The cuts are starting to mobilize the conservative-leaning demographic against the administration.

Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security   The Big Story Major VA job cuts planned

GOP senators told Musk about an obscure legislative tool that could bring legal heft to his effort and enshrine the cuts into law.

Judging by his past speeches to Congress, President Donald Trump once felt the need to ask lawmakers to pass his agenda. Not so much anymore.