Federal Workers Left Confused as Elon Musk Doubles Down on Threat to Remove Underperforming Employees

Tensions are running high in Washington after Elon Musk, in his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), issued a directive requiring all federal employees to submit weekly reports summarizing their work—or face termination.

The announcement has caused widespread confusion, legal challenges, and pushback from labor unions and lawmakers, leaving many federal employees uncertain about their job security.

Musk’s Directive: Submit Work Summaries or Resign

On February 22, 2025, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sent an email to approximately 2.3 million federal employees, demanding that they submit five bullet points summarizing their weekly work to their managers. The email, reportedly sent under Musk’s directive, was accompanied by a strong warning:

“Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.”

Musk later reinforced this demand via social media, stating that his goal is to eliminate inefficiency in the federal workforce.

“If you don’t know what you accomplished last week, then we don’t need you,” Musk tweeted.

The announcement sent shockwaves through federal agencies, leaving workers unsure whether the directive had actual legal standing or was simply an informal challenge to government bureaucracy.

Federal Agencies in Chaos, Conflicting Guidance Given

Shortly after Musk’s email, federal agencies scrambled to interpret its implications, resulting in contradictory guidance across departments.

• The State Department and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advised employees to comply with the directive.
• The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), however, instructed its workers to hold off on responding until further notice.
• The Department of Justice (DOJ) indicated that Musk’s directive held no legal authority over federal employment contracts.

This inconsistency has left many workers in a state of panic, uncertain whether non-compliance could result in termination.

Union Leaders, Lawmakers Condemn the Move

Labor unions and lawmakers have quickly pushed back, calling Musk’s demands unlawful and reckless.

Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest federal union, criticized Musk’s approach:

“Federal employees are not his personal workforce. Threatening mass firings over an arbitrary demand is both disrespectful and legally questionable.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined the criticism, stating that Musk’s attempt to force job justifications violates federal employment laws.

“This is reckless. Elon Musk does not have the authority to unilaterally fire millions of public servants,” Jeffries said in a statement.

Legal Challenges Begin

In response to the directive, federal employees have filed lawsuits challenging its legality. Attorneys argue that Musk, as a private citizen and special government employee, does not have the power to mandate employment terminations.

Legal experts cite multiple violations, including:

• Federal employee protections under Title 5 of the U.S. Code
• Constitutional concerns under the Appointments Clause
• Potential overreach of executive authority

David Rothschild, a federal employment attorney, commented:

“There is no precedent for a private individual dictating employment policies for the federal workforce. These lawsuits will likely block enforcement of Musk’s directive.”

White House’s Response: Conflicting Messages

The Trump administration has expressed mixed reactions to Musk’s directive.

• President Donald Trump defended Musk’s efforts, calling it an “accountability measure” meant to “clean up government inefficiency.”
• The White House Press Secretary later clarified that responses to the email were “voluntary”, contradicting Musk’s earlier threat of automatic resignations.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) also sought to calm concerns by stating that the email “did not constitute an official employment directive.”

Impact on Federal Operations

As the situation unfolds, the directive has disrupted federal operations, with some agencies pausing non-essential tasks to assess legal implications.

• Employee morale has plummeted, with many fearing that this move signals broader cuts to federal jobs.
• Lawmakers are now considering emergency measures to reinforce protections for federal workers in response to Musk’s directive.

What’s Next?

With legal challenges underway and federal unions mobilizing, Musk’s attempt to shake up the federal workforce faces strong resistance. While some within the government support accountability measures, the legality and enforcement of Musk’s demand remain highly questionable.

For now, federal workers remain in limbo, awaiting further clarification from the administration as legal battles over government authority, employment rights, and executive overreach unfold.

Conclusion

Elon Musk’s directive to federal workers has triggered a political, legal, and administrative crisis. While the debate over government efficiency continues, the controversy highlights the limitations of Musk’s influence over official federal employment policies.

For official government updates, visit:

• Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
• U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
• Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA)

As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on Washington and the courts, where the battle over Musk’s federal workforce shakeup is far from over.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.