Elon Musk, the billionaire government efficiency advisor, has issued a controversial directive requiring all US federal employees to justify their work or risk losing their jobs. This move aligns with President Donald Trump’s push for aggressive government spending cuts. Musk announced the policy on Saturday, stating that every federal worker must submit a weekly report detailing their accomplishments.
New Accountability Measure for Federal Workers
Musk’s directive requires all government employees to respond to an email from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The email, titled “What did you do last week?”, instructs workers to submit a list of five key accomplishments. The deadline for responses is Monday at 11:59 PM.
Failure to comply, Musk warned, could be interpreted as a resignation. However, the email itself did not explicitly mention termination. This has sparked confusion among federal employees, with some agencies advising staff not to respond until further instructions are given.
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Backlash from Federal Workers and Unions
The policy has faced immediate resistance from federal employee unions. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) condemned Musk’s approach. Everett Kelley, AFGE’s president, criticized the move as disrespectful to public servants, particularly military veterans working in civil service.
“It is cruel and insulting to demand these workers justify their jobs to an out-of-touch billionaire who has never served the public,” Kelley stated.
Some federal employees, including a physician at the Department of Veterans Affairs, dismissed the directive as unnecessary. “I have real work to do. I won’t neglect patient care for this drama,” the doctor told reporters.
Musk Downplays Concerns
After facing criticism, Musk attempted to soften his stance. He posted on X (formerly Twitter), assuring employees that the bar for compliance is low. “An email with some bullet points that make any sense at all is acceptable!” he wrote.
Despite this reassurance, concerns remain over whether non-compliance could lead to mass terminations. The National Treasury Employees Union and other labor groups are advising workers to wait for legal guidance before responding.
Trump Pushes for More Aggressive Cuts
Earlier on Saturday, Trump urged Musk to take an even more aggressive approach. The president, speaking on his Truth Social platform, praised Musk’s efforts and emphasized the need to eliminate wasteful spending.
Musk leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory body tasked with cutting costs and reducing corruption. As part of this initiative, the Pentagon announced a 5% reduction in its civilian workforce, effective next week.
Trump has already dismissed thousands of federal employees on probationary status. On Thursday, a court rejected a union request to temporarily block these layoffs, allowing the job cuts to proceed.
A Controversial Future for Government Reform
Musk’s cost-cutting mission has sparked legal and ethical debates. Critics warn of unlawful terminations, while supporters argue that government waste must be addressed. The coming weeks will reveal whether this initiative will streamline operations or create deeper conflicts within the federal workforce.
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