The Trump administration’s efforts to cut down the government’s civilian workforce have caused chaos and tension within federal agencies. The latest development in this campaign is a demand from Elon Musk, the world’s richest person and Trump’s adviser, for employees to list their accomplishments in the last week or face termination. However, multiple agencies have advised their employees not to respond immediately, in a sign of pushback against Musk’s tumultuous approach.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Musk, has already laid off over 20,000 workers and offered buyouts to another 75,000 in the first few weeks of Trump’s administration. This includes employees from various government departments such as Defense, Homeland Security, Education, Commerce, and more. The haphazard and rapid pace of these layoffs has even led to the rehiring of some workers who perform critical functions, such as securing the nation’s nuclear arsenal and fighting the bird flu outbreak.
While there is a bipartisan agreement that the U.S. government, with its $36 trillion debt, could benefit from reform, Musk’s approach has drawn widespread criticism. Even voters in some Republican areas have expressed their disapproval. This latest demand from Musk, asking employees to detail their work from the previous week or face termination, has only added to the frustration and uncertainty among federal workers.
The email, sent on Saturday evening, instructed employees to report their accomplishments by Monday night. It came from a human resources address in the Office of Personnel Management, but did not include Musk’s threat of termination. However, employees from various agencies have been advised not to respond until further guidance is given. This includes employees from the FBI, State Department, Defense Department, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, National Institutes of Health, and more.
Some officials have welcomed Musk’s move, such as Ed Martin, Trump’s nominee for U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C., who praised Musk and DOGE in an email response. However, other offices within the Justice Department have instructed their employees not to reply until they receive more information. This has left employees unsure of how to respond, with some expressing concern about the confidentiality of their work.
The largest federal workers’ union, the American Federation of Government Employees, has also raised concerns about Musk’s authority to fire employees who do not respond to his demand. They have requested the Office of Personnel Management to rescind the email and have advised their members to ask their supervisors for guidance.
Senator John Curtis, a Republican from Utah, has expressed his support for the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce government spending. However, he has also urged Musk to take a more compassionate approach towards the employees. He stated in an interview with CBS News’ “Face the Nation” that these are real people with real lives and mortgages, and it is important to show compassion while making budget cuts.
The email from Musk has also caused confusion among federal judiciary employees, including judges, who received the message even though the court system is not part of the executive branch. The judiciary has advised its employees not to take any action in response to the email. This further highlights the lack of clarity and coordination within the government’s efforts to reduce the workforce.
In some cases, employees were left unsure how to respond even if they chose to do so. Some lawyers expressed concern about the confidentiality of their work, while employees at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, who have been ordered to cease working since early this month, were also instructed to respond to Musk’s demand.
The Trump administration’s campaign to reduce the government’s workforce has caused chaos and uncertainty among federal employees. While there is a need for reform, it is important to approach it in a humane and thoughtful manner. It is essential to consider the impact on real people and their lives before making drastic decisions. The current situation highlights the need for better coordination and communication within the government to ensure a smooth and fair process for all involved.
