Sun Feb 23 02:09:28 UTC 2025: ## Musk’s Ultimatum: Hundreds of Thousands of Federal Workers Face 48-Hour Productivity Review

**NEW YORK, February 23, 2025** – Hundreds of thousands of federal employees are facing an unprecedented ultimatum from President Donald Trump’s cost-cutting chief, Elon Musk. In a move sparking widespread confusion and outrage, workers have been given just 48 hours to detail their accomplishments from the previous week.

The directive, delivered via a terse three-line email, demands a bulleted list of five accomplishments, copied to their managers, by Monday night. Musk initially announced the measure on his X platform, adding that failure to respond would be considered a resignation. While the email itself omitted this threat, the implication hung heavy as senior officials across numerous agencies scrambled to verify the email’s authenticity.

This latest action intensifies the ongoing upheaval within the federal government, where thousands of employees have already been terminated or offered buyouts since President Trump’s inauguration. The cuts have impacted various departments, including Veterans Affairs, Defense, Health and Human Services, the IRS, and the National Parks Service. While no official figures are available, the Associated Press estimates the number of affected workers in the hundreds of thousands.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) President Everett Kelley strongly condemned the move, calling it a display of “utter disdain” for federal workers and the services they provide. He vowed to challenge any unlawful terminations.

Musk, who celebrated his new role at a recent conservative gathering by brandishing a chainsaw he called his “bureaucracy chainsaw,” has openly stated his intention to eliminate waste within the federal government. The Office of Personnel Management confirmed the directive, stating individual agencies would handle any subsequent actions, including addressing the situation for employees on leave or vacation.

The National Weather Service responded to the ensuing confusion with a message to its staff, advising them to wait for verification before replying to the email and emphasizing their commitment to public safety. The situation continues to unfold, leaving the future of countless federal employees hanging in the balance.

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