Musk Directs U.S. Federal Employees to Report Work Accomplishments from Last Week or Face Termination

Elon Musk, leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Donald Trump, has mandated that all U.S. federal employees provide detailed accounts of their recent work activities. Failure to comply by the specified deadline will be interpreted as a resignation.

On Saturday evening, federal employees across various agencies received emails instructing them to submit five bullet points summarizing their accomplishments from the previous week. These emails, originating from the Office of Personnel Management’s human resources department, set a submission deadline of 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday. Musk emphasized the importance of this directive, stating that non-compliance would be considered a voluntary resignation.

The directive was disseminated to employees in multiple agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notably, even some federal judiciary employees, who are not part of the executive branch, received the email, leading to questions about the directive’s reach and legal foundation. The legal basis for terminating employees who fail to respond remains unclear, especially concerning those handling confidential work.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), representing a substantial portion of federal workers, has expressed strong opposition to the directive. The union has pledged to challenge any terminations resulting from this mandate, arguing that such actions may violate established employment laws and procedures.

This directive aligns with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to downsize and restructure the federal workforce. In recent weeks, thousands of federal employees have been dismissed as part of this initiative. Musk’s leadership of DOGE has been marked by aggressive measures to reduce government size and expenditure, often targeting agencies perceived as misaligned with the administration’s objectives. 

The administration’s approach has elicited mixed reactions. A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that a majority of Americans are concerned that such drastic reductions could adversely affect essential services, including Social Security and student aid. Additionally, there is a growing sentiment that affluent individuals, like Musk, wield disproportionate influence over government policies. 

The mandate for federal employees to report their work activities under the threat of termination represents a pivotal moment in the Trump administration’s strategy to overhaul the federal government. As the situation develops, it is anticipated that legal challenges and debates over the directive’s legitimacy and potential impact on public services will intensify.