Federal Workers Face Ultimatum as Musk Pushes for Accountability

The Trump administration, backed by Elon Musk, is intensifying its scrutiny of federal employees through an ultimatum requiring them to report their weekly achievements, igniting backlash from labor unions.

In a surprising twist in federal workforce management, employees received an email over the weekend urging them to submit a list of their achievements from the previous week or face termination. This latest move is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing strategy to reform and possibly reduce the size of the federal workforce, with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk at the forefront. Musk, a known ally of Trump, had previously hinted at such measures via his social media, stating that employees would soon be prompted to detail their productivity.

The email, which bore the subject line, “What did you do last week?” came from an HR address and insisted that staff present their accomplishments in five bullet points – while ensuring no classified information was revealed – by the upcoming Monday deadline. The Office of Personnel Management verified the authenticity of the emails, claiming this exercise is aligned with the administration's goal of a more efficient federal service.

Critics of this initiative, including the American Federation of Government Employees, have openly condemned the tactic as “cruel” and “disrespectful,” vowing to contest any illegal dismissals resulting from this directive. Union President Everett Kelley stated that this new measure underscores a lack of respect for employees dedicated to public service.

Meanwhile, President Trump, while addressing supporters at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) earlier, reiterated that federal workers needed to be more present in the office, emphasizing their perceived lack of productivity. Although the "Department of Government Efficiency" (Doge) is not a formally designated agency, Musk’s influence has been palpable in instigating profound changes throughout federal operations, resulting in mass layoffs across key agencies such as the IRS, Pentagon, and FAA.

This approach mirrors Musk’s management style during his tenure at Twitter, where he employed similar ultimatums to those who worked under him. Trump has applauded Musk's cost-cutting initiatives, expressing his desire for Musk to intensify efforts to reshape the federal workforce further. The sweeping changes have raised questions about the future stability of employment within various governmental branches and the potential impacts on services provided to the public.