Elon Musk issued a stark ultimatum to federal employees on Saturday, stating in a post on his social media platform, X, that they must respond to an email justifying their recent work or resign. This directive comes amid a broader push for accountability within the federal workforce.
Sources familiar with the situation reported that some federal workers have already begun receiving emails asking them to summarize their work over the past week. The email from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) requests employees to provide about five bullet points detailing their accomplishments, which should be sent to their managers as well. Unlike Musk’s post, the email does not explicitly threaten resignation for non-compliance.
The correspondence, which NBC News reviewed, explicitly instructs employees not to include any classified information, links, or attachments. They are required to respond by Monday at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Musk’s post referenced President Trump’s administration, stating, “Consistent with President @realDonaldTrump’s instructions, all federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week. Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.”
As of November 2024, more than 3 million people were employed by the federal government, according to the Pew Research Center.
OPM spokesperson McLaurine Pineover confirmed to NBC News that the agency is requesting employees to summarize their work as part of the Trump Administration’s commitment to a more efficient and accountable federal workforce. Pineover noted that agencies will determine any subsequent actions.
Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, criticized Musk and the administration for the email initiative, pledging to challenge any “unlawful terminations” of union members and federal workers nationwide.
Kelley stated, “Once again, Elon Musk and the Trump Administration have shown their utter disdain for federal employees and the critical services they provide to the American people. It is cruel and disrespectful to ask veterans in civil service to justify their job duties to an unelected billionaire who has never served the public.”
This email request follows Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency’s efforts to implement significant cuts to the federal workforce, which have included mass layoffs and the accidental termination of Department of Agriculture officials engaged in crucial work against the bird flu, as well as attempts to dismantle agencies like USAID.
