Elon Musk has once again influenced official communications within the federal government. On Saturday afternoon, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), comprising individuals loyal to Musk, sent an email to government employees instructing them to submit five bullet points outlining their accomplishments from the previous week, ensuring their managers are copied on the message. Failure to comply would be regarded as a resignation, according to a statement Musk posted on the platform X.
This directive follows President Trump’s announcement expressing his desire for Musk to adopt a more assertive approach. Trump commented on Truth Social that while Musk is performing well, he would prefer to see increased aggression, emphasizing the goal of improving the nation.
Responding to Trump’s remarks, Musk confirmed his willingness to take action in a post on X.
The recent memo echoes a similar communication Musk addressed to Twitter employees in June 2023, emphasizing that employees should refrain from including classified information, links, or attachments in their responses. WIRED has verified that similar notices were distributed to employees at the FBI, IRS, National Institutes of Health, and FAA—organizations that frequently handle classified information. The deadline to respond is set for Monday at 11:59 p.m. EST.
A current federal employee, requesting anonymity due to non-authorization to publicly discuss their agency, asserted that the initiative aims not at enhancing efficiency but appears intended to undermine democracy by demoralizing federal workers. The individual likened the approach to a video game where the objective seems to be harming or dismissing federal employees.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has terminated thousands of probationary employees who have served in the federal government for just a year or two. The layoffs primarily impacted individuals working on nuclear security and departments such as Veterans Affairs and Agriculture, which are attempting to combat a bird flu pandemic. The so-called Department of Government Efficiency has also tried to halt operations or dismantle organizations like the United States Agency for International Development and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
It remains uncertain whether OPM has the authority to enforce resignations should government employees fail to respond to the email. Laurie Burgess, a lawyer who has represented several Twitter and SpaceX workers in labor-related disputes, expressed uncertainty about the legal situation, as agencies responsible for oversight are being dismantled. Burgess, who has cases pending with the National Labor Relations Board, expressed concerns about the board’s continuity.
In January, OPM emailed federal workers with the subject “Fork in the Road,” reflecting a message Musk sent to Twitter staff in November 2022. The email urged employees to return to office work five days a week, asserting that the government seeks employees who are reliable, loyal, and committed to excellence. Those unwilling to comply were offered a deferred resignation package, which, according to the White House, was accepted by approximately 75,000 federal workers.
