After Kash Patel, now multiple US agencies have instructed employees to refrain from immediately responding to a demand issued by President Donald Trump’s adviser, Elon Musk. The directive, which required federal workers to list their weekly accomplishments or face termination, has sparked tensions within the administration.
Trump-appointed officials at the FBI and State Department sent internal emails advising staff to follow their chain of command rather than comply directly with Musk’s demand. FBI Director Kash Patel reaffirmed the agency’s independence in a message to employees, stating, “The FBI, through the office of the director, is in charge of all our review processes.”
Mass layoffs
Musk, who leads the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has aggressively pushed forward a restructuring campaign aimed at reducing the 2.3 million-strong federal workforce. In the first weeks of Trump’s administration, over 20,000 federal employees have been laid off, while another 75,000 have been offered buyouts.
This sweeping effort has impacted key government bodies, including the Department of Defense and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, where all operations have been suspended. The rapid reductions have forced some agencies to rehire critical personnel, particularly those responsible for securing the nuclear arsenal and addressing the escalating bird flu outbreak, which has driven up egg prices.
Productivity mail
Federal employees received an email on Saturday evening directing them to submit detailed work reports by Monday night. Musk posted on his X social media platform that failure to comply would be considered a resignation. However, this ultimatum was omitted from the official communication, which originated from the Office of Personnel Management.
In response, workers at several key departments—including Defense, Homeland Security, Education, and Commerce—were advised not to comply until further instructions were issued. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, National Institutes of Health, and Internal Revenue Service also followed suit. Intelligence agencies are expected to take the same stance.
A senior executive at the National Centers for Environmental Information highlighted the irregularity of the directive, writing, “This is unexpected and warrants further validation.” Meanwhile, Ed Martin, Trump’s interim US Attorney for Washington, D.C., voiced support for Musk and DOGE’s approach.
Uncertain future for federal workers
Despite widespread agreement that the US government could benefit from reforms—especially given its $36 trillion debt—Musk’s approach has faced criticism, even from some Republican voters. The chaotic execution of his workforce reduction plan has exacerbated concerns over stability and governance within the federal system.
While some Justice Department offices, such as the Drug Enforcement Administration, instructed employees to comply with Musk’s demand, others—including the civil division and executive offices supporting US attorneys—held back, seeking further clarification.
(With Reuters inputs)