Thousands of public health workers at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are embroiled in confusion following a directive from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. An email instructed these employees to list five accomplishments from the past week, without divulging classified information, with a deadline set for Monday night. The move, allegedly prompted by President Donald Trump, has been met with resistance from major federal agencies and sparked a lawsuit from unions and advocacy groups.
The email, disseminated via the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), has left federal employees in a state of alarm. The US Department of Justice, Department of Defense, and Federal Bureau of Investigation have advised their staff against complying with the directive. In a statement, Darin Selnick, a Department of Defense official, urged employees to "please pause any response."
"Please pause any response" – Darin Selnick, Department of Defense official
The directive is part of an aggressive campaign by Musk's department to downsize the federal workforce. Employees at HHS were soon after instructed to "pause" any actions in response to the email. This update came from HHS officials collaborating with the administration's personnel office, aiming to comply while safeguarding the agency's sensitive operations.
The email represents one of several conflicting orders issued to government employees recently, including threats of layoffs, dubious buyout offers, and demands to compile lists of personnel eligible for cuts. According to Max Stier, president of the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service, such tactics are "unprecedented" and "unlawful," reflecting a broader pattern of disregard for public servants.
"Yet another example of the new administration's contempt for public servants and public service that will lead to further confusion, anxiety and waste" – Max Stier, president of the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service
An HHS employee, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed frustration at the chaotic environment created by these directives:
"They're succeeding in driving us insane" – an HHS employee
While some have condemned the directive, others see merit in it. Representative Tim Burchett, a Republican from Tennessee, defended the approach, likening it to practices common in private business.
"I think it's a great idea, you do it in private business all the time" – Rep Tim Burchett, a Republican from Tennessee
The controversial email is believed to be an attempt to justify the roles of federal employees while potentially risking the exposure of classified information. Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, emphasized the duty of federal employees to protect sensitive data.
"Federal employees have a duty to ensure that sensitive information, data, and records are only used and disclosed for authorized purposes" – Everett Kelley, American Federation of Government Employees president
In response to these developments, unions and advocacy groups have filed a lawsuit challenging the email's legality. They argue that it violates laws governing the federal workforce and that OPM lacks the authority for such demands. This lawsuit is part of a larger legal battle initiated last week in California aimed at halting the Trump administration's sweeping plans to terminate federal workers.