Sun Feb 23 04:29:07 UTC 2025: ## Musk Demands Justification of Work From All US Federal Employees, Sparking Outrage

**Washington D.C.** – Billionaire Elon Musk, advising President Donald Trump on government efficiency, issued an ultimatum to all US federal employees Saturday: justify your work or face termination. This drastic measure comes hours after Trump urged Musk to be more aggressive in his cost-cutting efforts.

Musk, head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), sent an email via the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) demanding a concise list of accomplishments from the previous week. Failure to respond by Monday night was implicitly framed as resignation. The OPM has not yet commented on the email’s authenticity or the potential for terminations.

The move has sparked immediate backlash from federal employee unions. Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), condemned the action as “cruel and disrespectful,” accusing Musk of showing “utter disdain” for public servants. Several agencies reportedly advised their employees to ignore the email pending further instructions.

The email’s demand for a justification of work follows President Trump’s public call for Musk to escalate his cost-cutting efforts, stating, “we have a country to save.” Trump praised Musk’s performance, referring to him as a “patriot” despite his lack of official government position. The DOGE, under Musk’s leadership, has already overseen significant job cuts, including a planned 5% reduction in the Department of Defense’s civilian workforce.

While Musk claims DOGE’s website provides transparency and accountability, his actions have faced legal challenges, including a court ruling this week denying a union’s attempt to halt mass firings. Despite concerns over conflicts of interest, Musk has pledged continued cooperation with the Trump administration. The controversy continues to unfold, raising serious questions about the legality and impact of Musk’s aggressive cost-cutting measures on the federal workforce.

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