The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) clarified Monday that Elon Musk’s demand for federal workers to justify their employment status remains voluntary, ending a weekend of confusion sparked by conflicting White House statements. This follows President Trump’s claim that non-responsive employees would be “sort of semi-fired”, amplifying tensions within government agencies.
OPM’s email directive – sent Saturday under Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – required workers to list five weekly accomplishments by Monday night. While the original message lacked enforcement details, Musk later threatened termination on social media, a move absent from official communications.
“Those who do not take this email seriously will soon be furthering their career elsewhere,”Musk warned, despite White House lawyers previously asserting he holds no formal authority over personnel decisions.
Agency responses varied widely, creating operational chaos:
- Justice Department and Pentagon advised pausing responses
- NASA declared compliance optional with “no employment impact”
- Treasury and Transportation mandated participation
Federal employees expressed confusion, particularly those unaware of Musk’s social media ultimatums. “We’re only following official channels,” an IRS manager told ABC News, while a Veterans Affairs worker described widespread fear: “You could be terminated any day now.”
Legal experts question Musk’s role, given his status as a special government employee. Trump’s Saturday Truth Social post urging Musk to “get more aggressive” contradicts White House claims that the billionaire merely advises DOGE. This ambiguity leaves 2.1 million federal workers navigating unclear expectations about accountability and job security.
As agencies scramble for clarity, the episode highlights growing tensions between Musk’s private-sector tactics and government protocols. With Trump’s reelection campaign intensifying, observers warn such efficiency-driven disruptions could reshape federal operations – and worker rights – long after November’s election.