In a significant move signaling drastic changes within the U.S. government, Elon Musk announced that all federal employees will need to justify their work or risk losing their jobs.

This directive from Musk follows a recent push by former President Donald Trump for greater aggressiveness in slashing government expenditure. "All federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they accomplished last week. Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation," Musk stated, emphasizing the urgency of accountability among government workers. The email, sent from the Office of Personnel Management, requested that employees outline approximately five accomplishments from the previous week, with replies due by Monday evening Channel News Asia.

Trump, who has positioned Musk at the helm of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has encouraged more assertive reforms, asserting that "we have a country to save." Under this new entity, substantial cuts are set to reduce the workforce of the U.S. Defense Department by at least five percent starting next week. Trump's remarks on social media have been clear: he is satisfied with Musk's performance but desires even sharper actions.

While Musk leads this federal workforce reduction initiative, he faces significant backlash. Critics, including the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), have condemned the move as exhibiting a "disdain for federal employees" and criticized the requirement for justification as distressing for those serving in the civil service, especially veterans. AFGE President Everett Kelley remarked that Musk has never engaged in public service and thus lacks understanding of the complexities involved South China Morning Post.

Musk’s directives have been met with mixed reactions; several federal workers have reportedly been advised against responding to the email until further instructions emerge. This strategy for government efficiency has sparked legal challenges, and a recent court ruling denied a union's attempt to temporarily suspend mass layoffs—highlighting the contentious nature of these reforms Le Monde.

Returning to the spotlight, Musk has sought to reassure the public by promising transparency through DOGE’s actions, stating, "The possibility of me getting away with something is 0 percent." Despite the scrutiny, both Musk and Trump appear resolute in their mission to reshape the federal landscape, with Trump praising Musk's "brilliant" and "honest" approach to tackling government inefficiencies.

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