In a bold move to shrink the federal workforce, US government employees received an email on Saturday afternoon demanding they list their weekly accomplishments or face resignation. This directive aligns with the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to cut government spending and streamline operations.
The email, sent after billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk posted about the initiative on X (formerly Twitter), instructed employees to submit a summary of their work in five bullet points by midnight on Monday. Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), emphasized that non-compliance would be treated as a resignation.
Government Shakeup: Musk and Trump Drive Workforce Cuts
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) confirmed the authenticity of the email, stating it was part of Trump’s push for a more “efficient and accountable” federal workforce. Agencies are expected to determine the next steps based on employee responses.
However, the directive has sparked controversy. The American Federation of Government Employees denounced the email as “cruel and disrespectful,” vowing to fight any unlawful terminations. FBI Director Kash Patel also advised his staff to hold off on responding until further guidance is provided.
Massive Job Cuts Across Federal Agencies
The Trump administration’s workforce reduction has already impacted key federal agencies, including the IRS, Pentagon, and FAA, with thousands of job cuts reported in recent weeks. Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Trump justified the move, stating, “We’re removing unnecessary, incompetent, and corrupt bureaucrats to make the government smaller and more efficient.”
Elon Musk has played a central role in executing these drastic measures. His approach mirrors his management style at X, where he previously demanded employees commit to an “extremely hardcore” work culture or resign. Trump has praised Musk’s efforts, calling them a “great job” and urging him to be even more aggressive in reducing government size.
As these unprecedented changes unfold, the future of the US federal workforce remains uncertain, with critics warning of disruptions to essential public services.
