President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Elon Musk’s demand for federal employees to submit lists of their recent accomplishments, warning they could face termination for failing to comply.
The call for accountability has sparked confusion and anger among federal workers, with many receiving mixed messages about whether compliance is voluntary. During his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump defended Musk's approach, stating, "What he’s doing is saying, ‘Are you actually working?’ If you don’t answer, you’re sort of semi-fired, or fired,” implying there is widespread unaccountability among federal employees.
Trump also claimed Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency had unearthed "hundreds of billions of dollars" potentially lost to fraud, though he did not offer evidence to support this assertion. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) soon intervened, clarifying compliance with Musk’s request is not required, which has led to confusion across various federal agencies.
Some departments instructed their staff to respond to Musk's email, whereas others deemed it optional or advised against participation entirely. This predicament escalated, as Musk doubled down, insisting employees who do not reply would face termination on the president’s discretion. His ultimatum prompted legal action from unions and organizations claiming Musk's threats amount to “one of the most massive employment frauds” ever seen.
The State Democracy Defenders Fund, which is spearheading the lawsuit, contends Musk’s push undermines lawful employment practices. This internal strife is evidenced by the response from some officials within the administration. FBI Director Kash Patel instructed staff not to comply due to concerns over privacy and security.
The controversy began to escalate when Trump lauded Musk's work on social media, encouraging him to adopt a more aggressive approach. Musk followed suit by announcing all federal employees would soon receive correspondence requesting summaries of their weekly accomplishments, indicating noncompliance would be interpreted as resignation.
Amid the chaos, the OPM sent additional directives emphasizing the voluntary nature of this request. The OPM’s guidance stated agency leaders could exempt personnel from responding and decide appropriate actions based on non-responses. “Agencies should review responses and evaluate nonresponses, considering such factors as whether the employee was on excused leave or had access to email on the specified date,” it advised.
Despite assertions from the OPM, Musk's continued pressure for compliance left agencies grappling with their internal policies. For example, the Department of Justice and Health and Human Services issued guidance against compliance, raising alarms about potential threats to sensitive information. The situation reflects the widespread anxiety among federal employees over Musk's ambitious plan
to reshape government operations with Trump’s backing.
More radical transformations within the federal workforce are already underway as the Trump administration has initiated widespread downsizing, affecting hundreds of thousands of workers. Reports indicate the Department of Veterans Affairs recently dismissed more than 1,400 probationary employees to save costs and redirect funds toward healthcare for veterans.
This sweeping overhaul effort has left many within Washington uncertain about their future, as operational restructuring continues.
While Trump advocates for Musk's plans and brushes off concerns about the detrimental effects on the morale of federal employees, others voice alarm over the potential repercussions for worker rights. The administration’s increasingly aggressive stance may lead to lasting changes, stirring debates over the balance between accountability and employee protection.
Washington remains divided over Musk’s role within the Trump administration. Supporters argue his requests signal necessary transformations for accountability and efficiency. Opponents caution about potential breaches of workplace ethics as heightened scrutiny looms over federal employees.
Musk issued statements on social media indicating federal workers would have another chance to comply with their performance summaries. His ultimatum for compliance raises persistent questions about the stability and functionality of the federal workforce moving forward. It’s clear this controversy will shape the discourse surrounding federal employment reform and accountability measures
going forward.