Key Takeaways:

• Elon Musk will attend President Donald Trump's cabinet meeting amidst turmoil over his ultimatum to federal workers.
• Conflicting guidance from administration officials has left employees unsure of how to comply with Musk’s demands.
• Protests emerged as 21 workers resigned from Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, citing ethical concerns.
• Musk's downsizing push has already seen significant layoffs, with more expected across several government agencies.

Elon Musk, the billionaire and newly appointed adviser to President Donald Trump, is set to attend the first cabinet meeting on Wednesday, as confusion and dissent grow among federal workers regarding his recent directives. Musk's unorthodox management tactics have triggered unrest within the government, particularly surrounding the intended mass layoffs that he has been championing.

Federal employees have faced escalating anxiety as Musk issued an ultimatum requiring them to justify their positions by listing five accomplishments from the preceding week, or risk termination. This demand plunged government agencies into chaos as conflicting messages emerged; while the Office of Personnel Management advised staff they could disregard Musk's email, Trump and his associates suggested compliance might be beneficial. Trump acknowledged the ambiguity, noting the email requests were "somewhat voluntary" but added a hint of coercion by implying that not responding might lead to job loss. Some cabinet members, such as Kelly Loeffler of the Small Business Administration, publicly backed Musk's initiative, echoing the need for accountability within the federal workforce.

The controversy surrounding Musk's directives led to significant backlash, with 21 workers resigning from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in protest, citing a refusal to “compromise core government systems” or jeopardize essential public services. These resignations reflect mounting discord within the federal workforce, many of whom are struggling to navigate the inconsistent messages regarding job security and compliance with Musk's demands reported.

Musk’s aggressive downsizing plan has impacted more than 20,000 workers already, with additional layoffs expected to exceed 75,000 buyouts. As the IRS braced for another wave of job cuts—beyond the 12,000 positions already impacted—the scale of the reductions has raised alarms among labor advocates and agency heads. Musk's agenda, with the approval of Trump, aims to cut the workforce of the IRS, which currently stands at around 2.3 million civilian employees.

Moreover, internal communications reveal agencies like the Department of Interior have been directed to prepare for workforce reductions between 10% and 40%. The overall atmosphere reflects deep divisions and growing fears within the administration about Musk's authority and tactics, as evident in swift reactions from various stakeholders within the government.

Musk's approach has sparked significant dialogue—even among Trump loyalists—in the wake of his recent social media posts criticizing federal judges who hinder his team from accessing essential data and systems. He alarmingly suggested that the restoration of "the rule of the people" in America might necessitate the impeachment of judges, indicating a firm stance on curtailing judicial power in governance.

The upcoming cabinet meeting is anticipated to shed further light on Musk's role and the future of federal employment, as workers uncertainly await clarity amid the whirlwind of mandates and expectations stemming from the Trump administration.