Musk Demands Weekly Accomplishments from Federal Workers or Face Resignation

In a dramatic shift in federal workforce management, U.S. government employees received an email on Saturday requiring them to list their accomplishments from the previous week or resign. This latest directive comes from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, as part of ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to downsize the federal workforce.

The email, which asked employees to summarize their weekly achievements in five bullet points—excluding classified information—was sent from the human resources department with the subject line “What did you do last week?” The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) confirmed the authenticity of the email, emphasizing that this request aligns with the administration’s commitment to an efficient and accountable federal workforce.

Musk’s announcement on X (formerly Twitter) indicated that failure to respond to the email would be treated as a resignation, intensifying the pressure on federal employees. The message arrived shortly after Trump spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where he reaffirmed his administration’s focus on cutting government spending and eliminating perceived inefficiencies within the workforce.

Criticism and Union Response

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), representing a significant number of federal workers, condemned the email as “cruel and disrespectful.” Union president Everett Kelley criticized Musk’s approach, stating it shows a lack of appreciation for the essential services federal employees provide. The AFGE has vowed to challenge any unlawful terminations stemming from this initiative.

In contrast, Musk expressed that many responses had already been received and that those who provided feedback should be considered for promotion. He further claimed that some government employees were “doing so little work” that they weren’t even checking their emails, alleging instances of fraud without providing evidence.

Departmental Responses and Internal Disagreement

Not all agencies are uniformly supporting the OPM’s directive. FBI Director Kash Patel advised his employees to “pause any responses” to the OPM memo, asserting that the FBI would handle its review processes independently. Similarly, the State Department indicated that it would respond on behalf of its employees, clarifying that reporting their activities was not mandatory outside their departmental chain of command.

This discord among government departments highlights the uncertainty and tension generated by Musk’s aggressive restructuring efforts within the federal workforce.

The Broader Implications of DOGE

Musk’s DOGE initiative is part of a broader trend within the Trump administration to reshape federal agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Pentagon, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Thousands of government employees have already been let go, reflecting a significant push towards efficiency.

Trump has publicly supported Musk’s efforts, praising him for his aggressive approach to reducing the size of the federal government. The president’s remarks at CPAC emphasized the need to retain only the “best people” and remove what he termed “unnecessary, incompetent, and corrupt bureaucrats.”

As the Department of Government Efficiency moves forward with its controversial demands, the impact on federal employees and the services they provide remains to be seen. The emphasis on accountability and justification raises critical questions about the future of the U.S. federal workforce. African Insider will continue to monitor developments in this unfolding story, particularly as federal employees navigate the new expectations set by Musk and the Trump administration.

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