A rift emerged between some of President Donald Trump’s agency heads and Elon Musk, the billionaire tasked with government reform, regarding Musk’s demand for federal employees to list their weekly accomplishments or face termination. Despite Musk’s directive, agency leaders at key departments like the Pentagon, FBI, State Department, Homeland Security, and Energy instructed staff not to respond to an email from the Office of Personnel Management asking about their weekly activities. The conflicting instructions led to confusion and uncertainty among federal workers, with some agencies initially instructing compliance but later retracting those orders.

While Musk remained steadfast in his approach, agency heads, appointed by Trump, pushed back against the directive. The situation escalated as senior officials across various agencies scrambled to provide guidance to employees. The controversy highlighted Musk’s significant influence in reshaping the federal government, supported by Trump’s endorsement. Concerns were raised about the extent of Musk’s authority and his influence on agency operations.

Despite Trump’s support, some Republicans, like Sen. John Curtis, expressed reservations about the approach, calling for compassion in dealing with federal employees. The episode underscored the unchecked power Musk wielded in reform efforts, with questions arising about his role in decision-making within federal agencies. The conflicting messages and power dynamics between Musk, agency heads, and Trump added to the turmoil within the federal workforce as they grappled with the implications of Musk’s demands.