Trump Endorses Musk’s Initiative on Federal Employee Productivity Reporting

Trump Endorses Musk’s Initiative on Federal Employee Productivity Reporting

President Donald Trump has issued a significant warning regarding federal employees and their productivity. Under new guidance, he stated that those failing to account for their work may face termination. This initiative aligns with a recent email spearheaded by Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla.

Musk’s email, sent to federal workers, requested a summary of their completed tasks from the previous week. This request emerged from Musk’s leadership role in the newly established Department of Government Efficiency, abbreviated as DOGE, which aims to eliminate waste and fraud within government operations.

During a press interaction at the White House, Trump expressed his support for this initiative. He noted, “I thought it was great because we have people who don’t show up to work, and nobody even knows if they work for the government. So by asking the question, ‘Tell us what you did this week,’ Musk is determining if government employees are genuinely contributing. If you don’t respond, you are semi-fired or even fired, so it’s crucial for accountability.”

Musk’s Bold Stance on Accountability

Elon Musk, who released the email through a post on X, emphasized the importance of compliance. He warned that failure to respond would be interpreted as a resignation. In his post, he stated, “Consistent with President Trump’s instructions, all federal employees will soon receive an email asking for a summary of their achievements from last week. Non-response will be seen as an acceptance of resignation.”

On the following Saturday, federal employees received instructions from the Office of Personnel Management. They were told to compile a list of five achievements from the previous week, with a submission deadline set for 11:59 p.m. on Monday.

Criticism from Federal Workers’ Union

The American Federation of Government Employees, which advocates for federal workers’ rights, swiftly condemned this policy. They accused Trump’s administration of demonstrating a lack of respect for federal employees. Everett Kelley, the president of the union, stated, “It is cruel and disrespectful for federal employees to justify their job duties to a billionaire who has never provided genuine public service. We will challenge any unlawful terminations affecting our members and federal employees nationwide.”

Department of Defense Intervenes

In response to Musk’s directive, several federal agencies have advised their employees to disregard the request. The Department of Defense issued a memo clarifying its stance on the matter. On Sunday, the Pentagon reiterated its autonomy, instructing civilian personnel not to respond to Musk’s email concerning productivity reporting.

Darin Selnick, performing duties as undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, wrote, “DoD personnel may have received an email from OPM requesting information. The Department of Defense oversees the evaluation of its own personnel, which will occur in accordance with our established procedures. Please refrain from responding to the email titled, ‘What did you do last week.'”

FBI and Other Agencies Follow Suit

Similar directions have come from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Director Kash Patel informed his staff that the FBI would continue its routine performance reviews according to their protocols, further disregarding Musk’s request.

The DOGE department is under continued scrutiny as it faces multiple lawsuits from federal employees. These lawsuits challenge Musk’s authority to audit various federal agencies and highlight growing tensions between federal workers and leadership.

A Shift in Government Accountability Standards

This development signifies a broader discussion on government accountability. Advocates for efficiency view Musk’s initiative as a necessary step towards fostering a culture of transparency in federal employment. Opponents, however, argue it undermines worker morale and trust.

The debate continues as federal employees navigate the potential repercussions of these new productivity measures. The outcome of this initiative will likely shape future conversations about governance and employee relations at the federal level.

This evolving situation reflects the ongoing challenges that public sector entities face in balancing accountability with the well-being of their employees. As Musk and Trump push for increased productivity transparency, federal workers are left grappling with the implications of these policies.

Fox News has contributed reporting for this article.