WASHINGTON, DC Elon Musk federal workers — US federal employees received a blunt email on Saturday afternoon: Document your accomplishments from the past week or resign. The directive, tied to billionaire Elon Musk’s aggressive push to shrink government operations, has sparked immediate backlash from workers, unions, and legal experts.
The Email That Shook Federal Workers
The message, sent from an address labeled “HR,” bore the subject line: “What did you do last week?” It instructed recipients to submit a list of their contributions by Monday or face termination. Musk, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, confirmed the move on social media, writing:
- “Employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week. Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.”
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) verified the email’s authenticity, calling it part of the Trump administration’s “efficiency” agenda.
Why This Matters Now
Musk’s role as an unofficial advisor to Trump has centered on reducing federal spending through layoffs and agency closures. This latest tactic amplifies his controversial “chainsaw” approach, first showcased at February’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). But the demand for weekly productivity reports marks a new escalation—one critics call legally dubious and demoralizing.
Key Context:
- Over 2.1 million civilians work for the federal government.
- The Trump administration has already shuttered seven agencies and cut 12% of the federal workforce since January.
- Previous efficiency drives, like the 1981 air traffic controller firings, led to prolonged labor disputes.
Workers and Unions Push Back
Federal employees’ reactions ranged from confusion to outrage. Many argue the demand ignores the nature of government work, such as long-term projects or collaborative tasks.
Anonymous Quotes from Federal Workers:
- “My job involves regulatory reviews that take months. How do I quantify that in a weekly list?”
- “This feels like a pretext to eliminate roles they don’t like.”
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), representing 700,000 workers, called the email “a scare tactic” and vowed legal action.
Legal and Ethical Questions
Labor attorneys question whether the administration can legally frame non-responses as resignations. Federal employees typically have strong protections against abrupt termination, requiring due process or evidence of misconduct.
David Michaels, Labor Law | Elon Musk federal workersDavid Michaels, Labor Law Expert:
“Resignation must be voluntary. Threatening termination for not replying to an email likely violates federal labor standards.”
The OPM has not clarified how it will handle roles tied to sensitive sectors, like national security or public health.
Political Reactions
Democrats condemned the move as “union-busting.” Republicans remain divided:
- Rep. James Comer (R-KY): “Accountability is overdue in a bloated bureaucracy.”
- Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK): “This approach risks losing skilled workers in critical fields like infrastructure and disaster response.”
What Happens Next?
- Legal Challenges: Unions may file lawsuits alleging coercion or violations of the Civil Service Reform Act.
- Worker Retaliation: Some employees might comply under duress; others could leave, worsening existing staffing shortages.
- Election Impact: With Trump leading polls, the policy could become a flashpoint in the 2024 race. Democrats are already highlighting stories of disrupted services.
Final Take
Elon Musk’s demand for weekly accomplishment lists tests the limits of federal workforce policy. While supporters argue it roots out inefficiency, critics see it as a heavy-handed tactic that undermines worker rights and public services. As deadlines loom, the fallout could shape both government operations and the November elections.
