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Federal employees told to justify jobs in email or Musk says they face dismissal
CNN — In President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s latest move targeting the federal workforce, employees began receiving emails Saturday afternoon asking them to explain what work they did last week, as Musk announced that “failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.”
But several national security agencies, including the FBI, and multiple other federal departments, advised staffers not to respond to the email immediately, suggesting that the broader executive branch was not informed of nor prepared for the demand.
The email came from the Office of Personnel Management’s new HR email address but had no signature. The subject line reads: “What did you do last week?”
“Please reply to this email with approx. 5 bullets of what you accomplished last week and cc your manager. Please do not send any classified information, links, or attachments,” it continues.
CNN has obtained copies of emails sent to federal employees in multiple agencies. Many were sent with high importance or red exclamation marks.
The email blast came on the heels of a social media post by Musk threatening the jobs of workers who do not comply.
“Consistent with President @realDonaldTrump’s instructions, all federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week,” Musk posted Saturday on X, hours after Trump suggested he be more “aggressive.”
However, the email itself does not state that failure to answer will be taken as resignation. It says the deadline for submission is Monday at 11:59 p.m. ET.
The email sent shockwaves through a federal workforce already reeling from an array of orders from the Trump administration, including the recent termination of thousands of employees on probationary status, a deferred resignation offer that many viewed as questionable and a requirement to return to the office full-time, among others.
One president of a union chapter started getting texts from concerned members “nonstop” following Musk’s post and the OPM email.
“I don’t have any clue what in the world that email means either,” the union official told CNN, noting they are telling members to “just stand by until I advise otherwise.”
Musk can’t force federal employees to resign, and attempting to do so would amount to an involuntary termination, Michael Fallings, a federal employment law expert and managing partner at Tully Rinckey, told CNN. If workers were affected, they could file a claim challenging the action.
“Musk’s comment lacks legal authority,” Fallings said, noting that demanding that employees report on their work from last week is an “unreasonable and unnecessary request,” especially coming over the weekend and containing an arbitrary deadline.
Employees should discuss the email with their managers and, if applicable, their union officials before responding, Fallings said.
Agencies advise caution or non-response
Some agencies have also advised workers not yet to respond to the email — notably at agencies where much or all of employees’ duties may be sensitive.FBI Director Kash Patel told bureau employees Saturday not to immediately respond to the OPM email.
In an email to bureau employees obtained by CNN, Patel said, “The FBI, through the Office of the Director, is in charge of all of our review processes, and will conduct reviews in accordance with FBI procedures. When and if further information is required, we will coordinate the responses. For now, please pause any responses.”
Patel’s email came after senior leaders at FBI’s NY field office and other divisions told their employees to not respond, a person briefed on the matter said.
Employees of the National Security Agency were also notified Saturday that they should hold off on responding until they receive further guidance from the Department of Defense, a source said.
And Ed Martin, interim US attorney for the District of Columbia, sent an email advising employees to “be general” in their responses if necessary and promising to protect them. “If anyone gives you problems, I’ve got your back,” Martin wrote.
The head of the US Secret Service, by contrast, instructed staff to comply with the OPM email but noted the agency has resources employees can utilize “in times of uncertainty.”
In a message to the Secret Service workforce Saturday obtained by CNN, Director Sean Curran confirmed that an email employees previously received from OPM is legitimate and “requires your response.” Curran also said that any employee who did not receive the message from the federal government’s chief human resources agency should proactively contact OPM to justify their work.
“I understand this request may raise questions,” Curran continued. “We have resources that are available to all Secret Service employees including the Employee Assistance Program, Peer Support Program, and the Chaplain Program, that can provide support in times of uncertainty.”
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/22/politics/elon-musk-employees-emails/index.html
That's a big part of any federal evaluation....
