President Donald Trump has stepped into a heated dispute involving Elon Musk's "department of government efficiency" (Doge) and federal workers. Authorized by Trump, Doge aimed to address perceived waste and corruption within the federal workforce by threatening mass firings. Musk's team issued an email ultimatum requiring federal employees to justify their work by midnight on Monday or face termination, sparking widespread backlash.
Initially, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) advised compliance with Musk's directive. However, it later withdrew the termination threat, allowing agency heads to excuse staff from the demand. Several newly confirmed cabinet officials, including the FBI director and the national intelligence director, instructed their subordinates to disregard Musk's order. The Department of Justice also advised its employees against compliance due to the sensitive nature of their work.
Intelligence agencies such as the FBI, CIA, and National Security Agency expressed concerns that adhering to Musk's directive could lead to the disclosure of classified information. Similarly, the Department of Homeland Security and the Pentagon, both led by Trump loyalists, instructed their employees not to respond to the email demand.
"Subject to the discretion of the President, they will be given another chance. Failure to respond a second time will result in termination," Elon Musk stated regarding the compliance ultimatum.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union condemned Musk's email as a cynical tactic designed to intimidate federal workers into resigning. The union pledged to challenge any unlawful disciplinary actions, terminations, or retaliations against federal employees and its members. Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Social Services advised its workers to provide vague responses if they chose to reply.
As tensions escalated, President Trump utilized a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron to express his support for Musk. Trump's intervention underscored an air of rebellion within various government agencies as legal challenges against Doge's actions mounted.
"Absurd that a 5 min email generates this level of concern!" Musk remarked in response to the controversy surrounding his directive.
In an unusual twist, The Washington Post reported that television monitors at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) displayed AI-generated false images of Trump seemingly worshipping Musk. These images included text proclaiming "long live the real king," adding a bizarre layer to the ongoing saga.
"And then, if you don’t answer, like, you’re sort of semi-fired or you’re fired because a lot of people aren’t answering because they don’t even exist," Trump commented, highlighting his perspective on the situation.