Federal employees received an email over the weekend, requiring them to list their weekly accomplishments or face potential termination. This email is part of the Trump administration’s effort to shrink the size of the federal workforce. Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump, hinted at the email on X (formerly Twitter), announcing that federal employees would soon be asked to summarize their work from the past week.
The Email and Its Demands
The email, with the subject line “What did you do last week?”, instructed employees to submit five accomplishments from the previous week by midnight on Monday. The message also told them to avoid including classified information. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) later confirmed the email’s authenticity.
The email stated that failure to respond would be seen as a resignation. Musk’s post on X emphasized, “Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.” This demand pressured employees to comply with the new directive, a step toward cutting down the workforce to make the government more efficient.
OPM Confirms the Email’s Authenticity
OPM confirmed that the email was part of the Trump administration’s broader push for government efficiency. An official statement read, “As part of the Trump administration’s commitment to efficiency, OPM is requesting employees summarize last week’s work by Monday, CC’ing their manager. Agencies will determine any next steps.”
This effort aligns with Trump’s focus on reducing the size of the federal workforce. By listing accomplishments, the administration hopes to identify employees who are seen as redundant and remove them. However, this approach has sparked criticism from employees and unions.
Union Pushback and Legal Concerns
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represents federal workers, strongly condemned the email. Union President Everett Kelley described the directive as “cruel and disrespectful” and vowed to challenge any unlawful terminations.
Kelley further stated, “Once again, Elon Musk and the Trump administration show disdain for federal employees and their essential services.” The union is taking a firm stance, signaling that it will pursue legal action if employees are unfairly dismissed.
Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), defended the email. On X, he claimed that many employees had already responded, and added that those employees should be considered for promotion. His statements clearly show a division between the government’s push for efficiency and the concerns of workers who feel targeted by the new rules.
FBI Director Issues Guidance
On Sunday, FBI Director Kash Patel advised federal employees to “pause any responses” to the email. Patel’s memo clarified that the FBI would handle internal reviews according to its established guidelines. His recommendation gave employees some relief by suggesting they follow their agency’s procedures instead of rushing to submit their reports.
Patel’s guidance reflects an effort to control the situation and ensure that the process remains fair for federal employees. By pausing responses, workers had the opportunity to better understand their agency’s requirements before moving forward.
Trump and Musk Double Down on Workforce Cuts
The push to reduce the size of the federal workforce is central to Trump’s policy agenda. In his CPAC speech, Trump justified the cuts by criticizing inefficiency and remote work. “We’re removing unnecessary, incompetent, and corrupt bureaucrats from the federal workforce,” he stated.
Trump’s remarks mirrored the ongoing efforts of Musk and his team, who have already made significant cuts in major agencies like the IRS, Pentagon, and FAA. Thousands of employees have already lost their jobs as part of the push to streamline the government.
Musk’s approach to management reflects the same high-demand work culture he applied at Tesla and X. After acquiring Twitter in 2022, Musk implemented severe layoffs and required employees to adopt an “extremely hardcore” work ethic. This approach is now extending to federal agencies, where workers face pressure to meet high productivity standards.
Public Response and the Future of Federal Work
The email has sparked widespread debate about the future of federal work. Critics argue that these efforts threaten the important services federal employees provide. They believe the administration is undermining the dedicated workers who ensure the government runs smoothly.
Supporters, on the other hand, argue that reducing the size of the government is necessary for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This tension is expected to continue as the administration presses ahead with its plan to downsize the workforce.
Unions and employees continue to push back, but it remains unclear whether their efforts will sway the administration’s plans. The next few weeks will likely be crucial as the government moves forward with these latest changes.
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