WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has escalated efforts to assess and potentially reduce the federal workforce, sending a second wave of emails demanding government employees summarize their weekly tasks.
The emails, sent out Friday evening by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), require federal workers to list five accomplishments from the past week. This follows an earlier attempt to collect similar information, which was met with confusion and resistance from multiple agencies.
The initiative is being spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk, who leads the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk and President Donald Trump have both suggested that some federal employees on the payroll may not actually exist and have pushed for mass layoffs to shrink the government’s size.
Musk: ‘This Is Mandatory’
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk reiterated that the reporting requirement applies to all executive branch employees. He clarified that those working on classified or sensitive matters must still respond but can indicate the nature of their work as sensitive.
Musk’s initial attempt last week, which included warnings that noncompliant employees could be fired, was largely ignored after agencies such as the State and Justice departments advised their employees to follow internal protocols instead. OPM later informed agencies that responses were voluntary.
Despite the pushback, Musk and Trump have continued pressing for compliance, with the latest emails emphasizing that workers are “expected” to submit their reports at the start of each workweek, though they no longer explicitly threaten job termination for noncompliance.
Agency Responses Vary
The Pentagon, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has reportedly instructed employees to comply with the request. Meanwhile, the State Department has again advised its personnel to refrain from responding, according to an internal directive obtained by Reuters.
Other agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and National Institutes of Health (NIH), have also received the emails. These agencies are among those reportedly targeted by DOGE for layoffs.
Layoffs and Workforce Reduction Plans Underway
Trump’s administration has already cut approximately 100,000 federal jobs through buyouts and terminations. Agencies have been directed to submit detailed workforce reduction plans by March 13 as part of a broader strategy to significantly shrink the government.
With the federal workforce numbering around 2.3 million employees, the administration’s moves signal a substantial shift in employment policies, drawing sharp reactions from both supporters and critics.
