A Troubling Email Request

In a bold move, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sent a directive to federal employees, urging them to submit a brief email titled “What did you do last week?” This email required employees to list five bullet points detailing their work accomplishments over the previous week. The ultimatum? Failure to respond could lead to possible termination.

However, this request didn’t sit well with many federal agencies. Significant departments, including the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), urged their employees to disregard the OPM email. Such responses raise questions about compliance and morale within the government ranks.

Musk’s Frustration Unleashed

As the deadline approached, Musk took to social media platform X, expressing his dissatisfaction with the lack of responses to the OPM’s email. His post came just hours before the 11:59 p.m. Monday deadline, highlighting the urgency he placed on the matter.

“The email request was utterly trivial, as the standard for passing the test was to type some words and press send!” Musk proclaimed. “Yet so many failed even that inane test, urged on in some cases by their managers. Have you ever witnessed such incompetence and contempt for how your taxes are being spent?”

Advocating for Accountability

Musk further stirred the pot by responding to a tweet from Matt Walsh, host of “The Matt Walsh Show,” advocating for the termination of federal workers who either did not respond to the email or publicly complained about it. His comments underscore his commitment to holding government employees accountable for their productivity.

“Subject to the discretion of the President, they will be given another chance,” Musk added. “Failure to respond a second time will result in termination.”

A Lesson from Twitter’s Past

Musk’s call for accountability is reminiscent of his tenure at Twitter, where he likewise pressed former CEO Parag Agrawal for weekly productivity updates. This tactic of demanding transparency and results has now found its way into federal operations, showcasing Musk’s continual pursuit of efficiency across the board.

In a revealing comparison, Musk resurrected the text exchange with Agrawal while responding to a post demonstrating his new directive aimed at federal employees, stating, “Parag got nothing done. Parag was fired.”

DOD’s Pushback on Productivity Reports

As Musk’s demands continued, the Department of Defense reiterated its stance, instructing its civilian workforce to ignore Musk’s request for productivity reports. This pushback highlights a significant divide between the private sector’s focus on productivity and the often bureaucratic nature of government work.

“Consistent with President @realDonaldTrump’s instructions, all federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week,” Musk stated on X. “Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.”

The Low Bar for Accountability

In a further clarification, Musk communicated that the threshold for responses was deliberately set low, requiring just a brief email detailing a few accomplishments. “Should take less than 5 mins to write,” he stated, signaling that the expectations were not overly demanding and were intended to encourage a culture of accountability rather than punishment.

Wider Implications for Government Operations

Musk’s initiative with DOGE seeks to audit federal agencies for waste, mismanagement, and corruption, aligning with President Donald Trump’s platform of reforming government operations. Trump’s recent order returning federal employees to in-person work after prolonged remote arrangements due to the pandemic accentuates the administration’s focus on productivity and efficiency in government roles.