Federal Employees Must Respond to Musk's New Accomplishment Request Amid Layoff Threat
Defense Department mandates employee responses to Elon Musk's email demanding weekly accomplishments as part of federal downsizing initiatives.
The move drew confusion and concern among federal worker groups, lawmakers and outside advocates.
DOD civilians ordered to respond to ‘what did you do last week?’ email
Military Times·2M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The mass emails to federal workers ‒ which unions have slammed as "cruel and disrespectful" ‒ are the product of tech entrepreneur and senior White House adviser Elon Musk, who leads the administration's Department of Government Efficiency.
Federal workers to receive second round of emails demanding their accomplishments
USA TODAY·2M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Federal employees could get another email on Saturday requiring them to explain their recent accomplishments, a renewed attempt by Donald Trump and Elon Musk to demand answers from the government workforce.
The Guardian·2M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.It’s unclear how national security agencies will handle the second email.
Federal workers will get a new email demanding their accomplishments, with a key change
Associated Press·2M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.Musk, who is empowered by Trump and aims to downsize agencies and eliminate thousands of federal jobs, said anyone who didn't respond would be fired.
New Email Seeking Accomplishments List to Come From Agencies
Newsmax·2M·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Summary
Federal employees are now required to respond by next week to Elon Musk’s controversial email requesting a five-point summary of accomplishments. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced all civilian employees must reply by March 3, amid a reversal of previous agency guidance. Musk suggested at a Cabinet meeting that noncompliance may indicate that some workers do not exist, prompting concern from lawmakers and employee groups. The move follows an earlier request from the Office of Personnel Management, which many agencies initially opposed. Layoffs are expected across various departments, including the Education Department, which has offered buyouts.
Perspectives
Federal employees are receiving a second email requiring them to report their recent accomplishments, a tactic supported by President Trump and Elon Musk to evaluate the government workforce.
The first email had mixed responses from federal employees, with less than half replying, and many agencies indicated that participation was optional despite initial threats of job loss.
The initiative aims to downsize federal agencies, managing the workforce amid claims that some employees may not actually exist or be contributing.
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