Elon Musk, leading the Department of Government Efficiency, has issued an ultimatum to federal employees, requiring them to detail their weekly achievements in an email by midnight or face potential job loss. Musk stated that failure to respond would be interpreted as a resignation. However, the email itself, sent by the Office of Personnel Management, does not explicitly mention termination for non-response. Instead, it asks employees to provide approximately five bullet points outlining their accomplishments and copy their manager.
This directive has sparked confusion and resistance among federal workers and agencies. Some department leaders, including those at the FBI and Pentagon, have advised their employees to ignore Musk’s ultimatum, citing concerns over its legality and practicality. The American Federation of Government Employees has vowed to challenge any unlawful terminations. Additionally, a coalition of unions has amended a lawsuit against the Office of Personnel Management, arguing that the email’s demands are unlawful and undermine federal employees’ trust.
The situation reflects broader tensions within the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce government spending and workforce size. Musk’s actions have been backed by President Trump, who encouraged him to be more aggressive in his reforms. However, the approach has faced criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans, who question its legality and impact on federal employees.
