Elon Musk’s Federal Worker Ultimatum Met with Resistance from Trump Appointees
Intro
Amidst a whirlwind of events, several appointees of former President Donald Trump have defied the directives of Elon Musk, the multibillionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), regarding a performance-reporting email.
Musk’s Directive
On the weekend, Musk sent an email to approximately 2 million federal workers, requesting they provide a summary of their accomplishments for the previous week. Failure to respond by midnight Monday would be interpreted as a resignation.
Agency Disregard
Leaders of various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, Treasury Department, and the Federal Trade Commission, promptly instructed their employees to disregard Musk’s email.
Defense Department’s Statement
Acting Undersecretary of Defense Darin Selnick declared that the Department of Defense is solely responsible for evaluating its personnel’s performance and would conduct such reviews according to its established procedures.
Similar Orders from Other Agencies
Similar disregard orders were issued by the Transportation Department, the Treasury Department, and independent agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission.
Spread Beyond Federal Workers
In a curious twist, Musk’s email also reached political appointees at the White House and federal judges, who are not subject to the authority of the President or the White House.
FBI Director’s Instructions
FBI Director Kash Patel, a close ally of Trump, directed bureau personnel to disregard Musk’s email.
Trump Appointees’ Rebuke to Musk
While Patel and other appointees remain loyal to Trump, their messages regarding Musk’s email indicate a strong rebuke. They argue that Musk overstepped his authority by contacting their subordinates without consultation.
Musk’s Unprecedented Push
Musk’s actions are part of an unprecedented effort to reduce the size and spending of the federal government, as promised by Trump during his campaign.
Resistance and Roller Coaster of Chaos
Professor Peter Loge of George Washington University described the resistance to Musk’s email as another instance of the "rattling roller coaster of chaos" surrounding the DOGE.
Musk’s Follow-Up Ultimatum
Following the resistance to his initial email, Musk posted an online ultimatum, threatening terminations. This move was deemed "stupid" by Republican strategist Susan Del Percio, who suggested a less adversarial approach could have yielded better results.
Trump’s Praise and Union Lawsuit
On Monday, Trump praised Musk’s email, describing it as "genius." However, a group of unions representing government workers filed a lawsuit arguing that agencies had not properly published regulations allowing a lack of response to be considered a resignation.
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s directive to federal workers to report their accomplishments or face termination has been met with widespread resistance from Trump appointees who view it as an overreach of authority. The ensuing chaos and confusion highlight the complex dynamics within the federal government and the ongoing attempts to reform it.
