The deadline given to federal employees by the Office of Human Resources (OPM) and Elon Musk over the weekend is approaching, but widespread confusion as agencies tell workers that they may not need to reply remains.
The email directed federal workers to respond to OPM requests by 11:59pm Monday, and outline what they had achieved in about five locations last week.
Leaders from various agencies said employees don't need to comply with requests, but some people say they should be staff, during a major upheaval of President Trump's top allies and workers A cleft was set.
In a post on Saturday, Musk said that failure to respond to emails would be “considered as a resignation.” He defended the email in his blowback and praised those who gave him a “good response.” He argued that knowing what employees can accomplish could lead the administration to find “complete fraud.”
The Department of Defense said it would be responsible for reviewing employee performance, adjusting responses to OPM emails, and asking workers to pause their responses.
Similarly, FBI Director Kash Patel did not respond to employees to emails and said the department would process the response.
The State Department also reportedly instructed employees not to respond. National Intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard told the intelligence community that staff should not respond given the sensitive nature of their work.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leadership has emailed more than 250,000 employees. Similarly, I told them not to respond to emails.
“DHS Management responds on behalf of the department and all its component offices,” the email on Sunday said. “At this time, no reporting action is required.”
Department of Justice (DOJ) staff were also told Monday that they would not have to respond to requests, along with leaders citing the “secret and sensitive nature” of DOJ's work.
However, not all agencies have told workers not to follow their requests.
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy wrote a list of five bullet points he made in a post by X. Duffy last week.
“If you can't come up with the five things you did, you might not be hired here, so this is a simple task.” Duffy said On Fox News on Monday.
An email to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Saturday said emails from OPM were “legal” and directed employees to respond by the deadline.
However, on Sunday, employees were informed that they were working with OPM executives on how to “meet” the intent of the request, while respecting the sensitivity of the department's work.
“Therefore, employees are instructed to “suspend” their activities when responding to OPM emails,” the department told employees in an email obtained by Oka.
HHS employees were told they would receive more guidance around noon Monday, just 12 hours before the 11:59pm deadline.
I have musk It's doubled Despite Trump staying quietly at his request.
On Saturday morning, Trump praised Musk and his government's Department of Efficiency, and although he's doing a “great job,” he hopes he will become “more offensive.”
Musk's post On X, OPM email requests were made in a few hours later.
Trump administration officials told Hill there are no plans to extend or cancel the 11:59 p.m. deadline.
Rebecca Beitsch and Alex Gangitano contributed.
