Major government agencies reject Musk’s recent request amid his efforts to reduce expenses.

WASHINGTON — Major U.S. agencies, such as the FBI, State Department, and the Pentagon, have directed their employees not to adhere to the recent request from Elon Musk, aimed at federal workers to disclose their weekly accomplishments or face job termination. This resistance from officials appointed under President Donald Trump has introduced a new wave of disorder within the already stressed federal workforce, following Trump’s return to the White House and swift actions to fulfill promises of government downsizing.

Officials spent the weekend trying to decode Musk’s peculiar demand, which appears to have support from Trump despite some Congressional leaders asserting it may be illegal. Labor unions are pressing the administration to retract the request, even indicating potential lawsuits if their objections are ignored. The response from various officials has been varied, with some endorsing Musk’s approach while others resist the directive, resulting in mixed messages within different agencies.

On Sunday, the Department of Health and Human Services, under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., advised its estimated 80,000 employees to comply with Musk’s request. This was soon contradicted by instructions from acting general counsel Sean Keveney, who advised against compliance due to security concerns, as well as potential legal protections related to attorney-client privilege. By the evening, HHS leadership adjusted its stance, advising employees to halt any responses to Musk until the following Monday.

In an email, Keveney expressed his frustration about the request, noting that he had invested over 70 hours advancing administration priorities only to feel insulted by the demand for a report on activities. He raised concerns about security and confidentiality regarding the requested information. Musk’s team initiated this requirement on Saturday, giving employees approximately two days to detail five accomplishments from the past week, with a deadline set for 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday.

The backlash against Musk’s demands came promptly, coinciding with Trump’s encouragement on social media for Musk to intensify efforts in reducing government size through his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Republican Senator John Curtis voiced his concerns, urging Musk to exercise compassion when dealing with federal employees, many of whom are affected by potential job losses. Curtis emphasized the real-life impact on families and the inaccuracy of portraying personnel cuts as essential.

Republicans and Democrats alike questioned the legal foundation upon which the Trump administration could justify mass dismissals of federal employees for disregarding Musk’s instruction. Senator Chris Van Hollen did not hesitate to declare the demand illegal. Trump himself joined the conversation on social media, mocking federal workers with a meme detailing trivial weekly accomplishments.

In a clear resistance, newly appointed FBI Director Kash Patel instructed bureau staff to refrain from responding to Musk’s request for the time being. Patel emphasized that the FBI will manage its review processes according to its established protocols and called for a pause on responses. Meanwhile, the interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Ed Martin, sent conflicting messages, suggesting that his staff should respond to Musk’s order while promising to support them through any ensuing confusion.

Officials from the Departments of State and Defense provided more unified guidance. Tibor Nagy, acting undersecretary of state for management, informed employees that there was no obligation to report activities outside their agency hierarchy. Similarly, Pentagon leadership advised employees to delay any communications related to Musk’s request. The Homeland Security Department reassured its staff that reporting was unnecessary and that responses would be coordinated at the managerial level.

The appointment of Musk and government reshaping under Trump has already led to widespread job cuts within the federal workforce, though no exact figures have been released detailing the extent of these changes. Recent reports indicate that thousands of employees have either been dismissed or given the option to resign under pressure. Musk characterized his request as a “basic pulse check,” claiming that many federal workers were failing to perform minimal duties, suggesting fraudulent practices involving employees who are either inactive or deceased, although he has not provided any evidence for such claims.

As more government employees plan to exit their positions in the upcoming week, the turbulent environment surrounding federal employment continues, showcasing a clash of interests and apprehensions regarding workforce management at the top levels of the U.S. government.