Federal Workers on Edge: Job Cuts and Service Disruptions Loom with Musk’s Cost-Cutting Strategies | CNN

Federal employees are feeling uneasy about Elon Musk’s efforts to change the U.S. government. His recent order for workers to list their job tasks in writing has added to this concern.

Latisha Thompson, a social worker at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Philadelphia, spoke out against an email that instructed employees to report what they did in the past week. She found the request “insulting and disrespectful,” especially considering the sensitive information about veterans’ health she handles daily.

Thompson emphasized the importance of maintaining the privacy and integrity of the care provided to veterans. “We do not intend to jeopardize that integrity with this email,” she said, highlighting the seriousness of the matter.

Musk, who has been tasked by President Trump with reforming the federal government, warned that not replying to the email could be regarded as a resignation, despite no mention of that in the email itself.

Many federal workers feel comfortable sharing their work with the public but do not work for any private entities, including tech billionaires like Musk. Thompson plans to follow the guidance from her agency and the American Federation of Government Employees regarding how to respond to the email.

Several major federal agencies, such as the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security, have told their staff not to respond. They point out that there are existing systems in place to assess employee performance.

Thompson expressed concern that cuts to the federal workforce could harm the services the government provides. Others in the country share her worry, especially workers at national parks.

In Ohio, job cuts at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, combined with a hiring freeze, are causing resource shortages just as visitor numbers rise. Deb Yandala, head of the park’s Conservancy, noted the ongoing underfunding of national parks, which makes losing key staff especially challenging.

Meanwhile, in Arizona, about 10% of U.S. Forest Service workers face job cuts. Matt Nelson, from the Arizona Trail Association, stated that losing these employees will negatively impact the care and protection of national trails.

In California, staff cuts at Yosemite National Park have drawn public attention. Andria Townsend, who was fired abruptly via email, expressed her frustration over the lack of notice or time to prepare. She felt her hard work and qualifications were discredited and anticipated that remaining staff would be overburdened.

The recent firings at Yosemite were highlighted by the display of an upside-down American flag at the park, symbolizing distress. Workers and advocates are using this moment to raise awareness about the impacts of staff cuts, emphasizing the parks belong to everyone.

For employees like Thompson and Townsend, the ongoing uncertainty affects their ability to serve veterans and protect public lands. As Thompson stated, “We’re here to serve the American public, not private interests.”

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