In a bold and controversial move, Elon Musk, the billionaire head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration, has issued a directive requiring all U.S. federal government employees to submit reports detailing their work accomplishments by Monday night. Failure to comply will be considered a resignation, according to Musk’s public statement.
The Trump administration confirmed Saturday evening that emails were sent to federal employees across various agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The emails, sent from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), asked workers to provide five bullet points summarizing their weekly accomplishments and to copy their managers.
Musk’s Statement on Social Media
Elon Musk announced the initiative on the social media platform X, stating, “All federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week. Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.” His post followed a statement from President Donald Trump on Truth Social, where he urged DOGE to intensify its efforts to downsize the federal workforce of 2.3 million employees.
While Musk has been tasked with spearheading cost-cutting measures within the federal government, his latest move has sparked significant backlash among federal workers and unions. Critics argue that the sudden directive lacks a clear legal basis, raises concerns about the handling of confidential work, and risks further destabilizing critical government operations.
Uncertainty and Legal Concerns
The legality of Musk’s ultimatum remains unclear. Federal employees, including those working on confidential or classified assignments, may face challenges in complying with the directive. Some judiciary employees, whose work falls outside the executive branch, also received the email, further complicating the situation.
Additionally, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which has been under court orders to pause mass terminations, reported receiving the directive despite many of its employees being restricted from performing their usual tasks. Agencies like the NOAA and the Executive Office for United States Attorneys have advised their employees to hold off on responding until the validity of the emails is confirmed.
Union Pushback
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest union representing federal workers, has vowed to fight any “unlawful terminations.” Everett Kelley, AFGE’s president, condemned the ultimatum, stating, “Once again, Elon Musk and the Trump administration have shown their utter disdain for federal employees and the critical services they provide to the American people.”
The union’s concerns are rooted in the administration’s broader efforts to significantly downsize the federal workforce, which have already resulted in mass firings. Many terminated employees included probationary workers or those in newly assigned roles, some of whom were later rehired to maintain vital services such as nuclear safety and defense operations.
Growing Frustration Among Federal Workers
Federal employees, many of whom are already grappling with uncertainty following weeks of layoffs, have expressed outrage over the directive. One long-serving worker said, “After more than two decades of working in federal service, which includes all outstanding performance reviews and something like 18 performance awards, someone at OPM is going to read my five bullets and decide if I’m productive enough?”
For many, this directive represents a lack of trust and respect for their contributions. The abruptness of the request has left employees questioning its purpose and whether it is part of Musk’s broader strategy to reshape federal operations.
A Controversial Strategy
Elon Musk’s leadership at DOGE has been marked by rapid and controversial reforms aimed at reducing government spending. While touted as a move toward efficiency, the mass firings and aggressive downsizing have drawn criticism for their haphazard implementation. In some cases, essential services have been disrupted, leading to public outcry and forced rehiring of critical personnel.
Despite these challenges, Musk’s allies argue that his approach is uncovering inefficiencies and fostering accountability within the federal government. Former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin commented, “Musk’s DOGE is uncovering a lot of things that we’re somewhat surprised by.”
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