Trump backs Musk as he roils the federal workforce with demands and threats | AP News
President Trump supports Elon Musk’s controversial demands for federal employees, sparking confusion, lawsuits, and pushback across government agencies.
Washington, D.C. – February 25, 2025 – President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Elon Musk’s latest initiative to overhaul the federal workforce. Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency, has demanded that federal employees detail their recent accomplishments by Monday night or face termination. However, the move has sparked widespread confusion, legal challenges, and resistance from key government agencies.
What’s Happening?
Elon Musk’s directive requires federal employees to submit a list of five accomplishments from the previous week. Failure to comply, Musk warned, would be treated as a resignation. President Trump praised the move, calling it a way to root out inefficiency and fraud within the government.
“What he’s doing is saying, ‘Are you actually working?’” Trump said during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. “If you don’t answer, you’re sort of semi-fired or you’re fired.”
Despite Trump’s endorsement, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) clarified that compliance with Musk’s demand is voluntary, adding to the confusion among federal workers.
Key Reactions and Pushback
The directive has led to a mix of responses across federal agencies:
- Resistance from Key Agencies: Departments like Homeland Security, the Pentagon, and the State Department instructed employees not to respond, citing privacy and security concerns.
- Legal Challenges: Unions and advocacy groups filed a lawsuit in federal court, calling Musk’s threats “one of the most massive employment frauds in the history of this country.”
- Mixed Compliance: Some agencies, like the Education Department, urged employees to comply, while others, such as the Justice Department, advised against it due to the sensitive nature of their work.
Musk’s Defense and Trump’s Support
Elon Musk defended his approach, stating that federal workers “hate even the tiniest amount of accountability.” He reiterated his threat of termination for non-compliance, emphasizing that employees would be given a second chance to respond.
President Trump dismissed concerns about a rift between Musk and other administration officials, calling the idea “ingenious.” He also claimed that Musk’s efforts have uncovered “hundreds of billions of dollars in fraud,” though no evidence was provided to support this claim.
What’s at Stake?
The controversy comes amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to downsize the federal government. Thousands of employees have already been laid off or offered “deferred resignation” packages. Critics argue that Musk’s demands are illegal and could destabilize the federal workforce.
What’s Next?
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing legal battles and internal disagreements within the administration. Here’s what to watch:
- Legal Outcomes: The lawsuit against Musk’s directive could set a precedent for federal workforce policies.
- Employee Morale: The uncertainty and threats of termination are likely to impact morale and productivity.
- Administration’s Next Moves: Will Trump and Musk push forward with their overhaul, or will they face further resistance from within their own ranks?
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