Rift Between Trump Appointees and Elon Musk Over Email Directive to Federal Workers

A significant rift has emerged between certain appointees of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, following Musk’s controversial directive to federal workers demanding they report their weekly accomplishments or risk termination. Musk, tasked with reforming the federal government, sent out an email through the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on Saturday titled “What did you do last week?” The email instructed federal employees to submit a list of five accomplishments from the previous week, sparking widespread confusion and resistance within federal agencies.

Agency Responses and Confusion

Several key agencies, including the Pentagon, FBI, State Department, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Department of Energy, issued immediate instructions to their staff not to comply with the directive. Agency heads, many appointed by Trump, sent conflicting messages to their employees. Some managers initially told their staff to comply, while others reversed course hours later, adding to the confusion. In the FBI, newly appointed director Kash Patel told staff not to respond, affirming that performance reviews would follow the agency’s procedures. The Department of Defense (DoD) also clarified that performance reviews were their responsibility, not OPM’s.

Political Backlash and Criticism

The backlash extended beyond government departments, with prominent figures like Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Senator John Curtis (R-Utah) voicing concerns. Murkowski criticized the directive, calling it “absurd”, and urged Musk to better understand the roles of federal employees. Curtis emphasized the need for a more compassionate approach to government reform. Musk, however, seemed undeterred, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to express frustration, calling the resistance “extremely troubling” and questioning what was wrong with parts of the government for not complying.

Musk’s Support and Resistance

Despite the pushback, Musk continued to defend his directive, with President Trump expressing support for Musk’s efforts. Trump even posted a meme mocking the situation, which intensified confusion among federal workers. The episode underscored Musk’s growing influence over federal government reforms, but it also highlighted the tension between Musk’s aggressive top-down approach and the traditional bureaucratic procedures that many federal agencies rely on.

Growing Opposition and Future Uncertainty

While Trump’s appointees largely supported Musk’s reform efforts, this incident revealed a broader debate over how much authority Musk should have in shaping the future of federal agencies. Many officials, especially in national security and safety departments, expressed concerns that Musk’s reforms were encroaching on the normal operations of these institutions. As more senior officials joined the pushback, it became clear that Musk’s reforms, despite receiving backing from Trump, were facing significant opposition even within his own political base.

This situation highlights the complexity of the relationship between Musk and Trump’s appointees, revealing the discomfort many feel with Musk’s approach to government restructuring. While Musk remains steadfast in his resolve to continue pushing for change, the future of his reforms remains uncertain as more resistance builds.