Musk Grants Federal Workers a Second Chance After Initial Email Response Deadline
Federal employees who didn’t respond to Elon Musk’s request last week to detail their job accomplishments won’t face immediate repercussions, despite the initial ultimatum of potential firing.
While President Trump reportedly supported Musk’s demand, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) clarified to agency heads that responding wasn’t mandatory.
Musk indicated on X that he plans to reissue the directive with mandatory compliance. He stated that, pending presidential approval, non-responders will get a second chance, with termination as the consequence for further non-compliance.
Musk expressed frustration over the lack of response to what he considered a simple request, blaming managers for encouraging resistance.
Reportedly, several departments like , , and encouraged employees to comply, but others resisted, seemingly attempting to regain control over their staff from Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
HHS staff were informed that there was “no HHS expectation” to respond and that their jobs were secure regardless. They were also advised to protect sensitive information if they chose to respond, warning that foreign actors might read their submissions.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard reportedly instructed intelligence community officers not to respond, citing the sensitive nature of their work, according to the New York Times.
The also advised its employees to delay responding. Darin Selnick, acting under secretary of Defense for personnel and readiness, stated the department would conduct performance reviews internally and respond to OPM on behalf of its workforce “when and if required,” according to a statement shared on X.
Director Kash Patel issued a similar directive, asserting the bureau’s authority over review processes and promising adherence to FBI procedures.
Tibor Nagy, an undersecretary at the State Department, informed staff that employees weren’t obligated to report activities outside their chain of command, and the department would respond collectively. The Department of reportedly issued similar guidance.
The ‘s top administrative official, Jolene Ann Lauria, announced that employees “do not need to respond to the email from OPM”, reversing earlier instructions amid internal confusion, according to .
Musk’s email directive has faced bipartisan regarding potential illegality and overreach. As many as employees—including personnel like Library of Congress staff and judges—may have received the directive, according to the Washington Post. Per , responses are expected to be analyzed using AI.
House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Musk’s action, stating that taxpayers deserve accountability from public employees and that routine performance reports are common in the private sector. Musk a video of Johnson’s comments, reiterating his justification of “fair rules for all” between public and private sectors.