Federal employees told to justify jobs in email or Musk says they face dismissal | National Politics |
In a bold move that has sent shockwaves through the federal workforce, Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump are requiring federal employees to justify their roles or risk losing their jobs. The controversial directive, announced via email and social media, has sparked confusion, outrage, and legal concerns among government workers. Here’s everything you need to know about this developing story.
What Happened?
On Saturday, February 22, 2025, federal employees across multiple agencies received an email from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) asking them to summarize their accomplishments from the previous week. The email, titled “What did you do last week?”, instructed employees to provide five bullet points of their work and cc their managers.
The email did not include a signature but warned employees to avoid sharing classified information, links, or attachments. It also set a strict deadline: responses were due by Monday at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Elon Musk, who has been working closely with Trump to overhaul the federal government, reinforced the directive on X (formerly Twitter). He stated that failure to respond would be considered a resignation.
Is This Happening?
This move is part of a broader effort by Trump and Musk to streamline the federal workforce. Trump has tasked Musk with leading the Department of Government Efficiency, aiming to reduce bureaucracy, cut costs, and replace career employees with political appointees.
Trump praised Musk during a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), calling him a “patriot” and urging him to be “more aggressive” in reshaping the government.
How Are Federal Employees Reacting?
The email has caused widespread anxiety among federal workers, many of whom are already dealing with recent layoffs, return-to-office mandates, and other changes under the Trump administration.
- Union Backlash: Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), criticized Musk’s ultimatum, calling it “cruel and disrespectful.” The union plans to take legal action to protect workers from unlawful terminations.
- Confusion and Fear: Some employees are unsure how to respond, especially those in sensitive roles at agencies like the FBI and National Security Agency (NSA). FBI Director Kash Patel advised employees to pause responses until further guidance is provided.
- Insulted Workers: Many employees feel the demand is unnecessary and demeaning, as their work is already tracked through existing systems.
Key Concerns and Questions
The directive raises several critical questions:
- What happens to employees on vacation or sick leave?
- How will workers in classified roles respond without violating security protocols?
- Is this move legal, and will it hold up in court?
Union leaders and legal experts are closely monitoring the situation, with some already preparing to challenge the policy.
What’s Next?
As the Monday deadline approaches, federal employees are caught between complying with the directive and waiting for further instructions from their agencies or unions. Meanwhile, Musk and Trump continue to push their agenda of reducing the federal workforce and increasing efficiency.
Call to Action
Stay informed about this developing story and its impact on federal employees. Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the conversation on social media,
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