WASHINGTON – Recent upheaval in the federal workforce persists as the U.S. government grapples with managerial strategies proposed by Elon Musk. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) initially advised leaders that they were not obliged to follow Musk’s directive mandating workers report recent accomplishments, a task described as ‘voluntary’ by former President Donald Trump, though accompanied by implied consequences for noncompliance.
Earlier this week, OPM alerted employees through an email titled “what did you do last week?” asking them to submit a few bullet points summarizing their achievements. Subsequently, OPM sent another message suggesting that similar expectations could become more formalized in agency reports, potentially leading to penalties for failure to comply with such requests.
While addressing reporters, Trump mentioned that the process was somewhat elective but hinted that non-participation might eventually lead to job termination. He emphasized accountability in taxpayer paychecks and the opportunity for staff to delineate their responsibilities.
Despite contradicting directives, many federal workers complied with the request, fearing repercussions. One anonymous employee shared the confusion caused by the lack of definitive guidance about the initiative’s optional nature.
Musk, on his social media platform X, criticized those obstructing his objectives, noting that responding to the simple email quiz was an undemanding task. He also remarked on rising Washington unemployment rates, calling it evidence of reducing governmental inefficiencies.
In the realm of governmental restructuring, Musk functions as a critical adviser to Trump, despite the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) being initiated by Musk rather than directly managed by him. Initially obscure, Amy Gleason has been identified as leading the department, though the extent of Musk’s influence remains scrutinized as several employees resigned in protest.
Musk’s initiatives have sparked dissent, not only among Democrats but also from cautious Republicans concerned about potential electoral repercussions. Public opinion, as revealed by recent surveys, is equally divided on Musks’ involvement in the Trump administration and his efforts to reduce government spending.
Republican lawmakers like Rep. Lisa McClain reinforced the mandate they perceive from voters, asserting commitment to executing changes reflective of electoral demands. Meanwhile, White House counselor Alina Habba emphasized the importance of aligning with the president’s agenda, indicating further task accountability measures might be instituted.
Amidst this administrative upheaval, Leavitt and other officials face legal challenges accusing them of retaliating against press freedom, highlighting an ongoing tension between the administration and the media.
