Chaos Unfolds: Federal Workers in Limbo as Musk’s Email Deadline Approaches | CNN Politics

Federal employees had a chaotic day on Monday after receiving an email from Elon Musk. In the email, Musk demanded that they explain their work from the previous week or face possible job loss. This sudden request left workers confused and anxious about how to respond.

Agencies provided mixed messages. Some advised compliance while others recommended against it, leading to uncertainty for many. Employees were left waiting for clear instructions right up to the deadline of 11:59 p.m. on Monday.

President Trump weighed in, calling Musk’s demand “ingenious” and suggesting that those who didn’t reply may be “semi-fired or fired.” However, just a few hours later, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) contradicted him, clarifying that responses were voluntary and failing to respond wouldn’t imply resignation.

Despite the OPM’s guidance, not all agencies communicated this to their employees. Some were still being told to comply with Musk’s request, leaving many in the dark about what to do.

“It’s total confusion,” said an employee from the Department of Veterans Affairs. “One message says it’s mandatory, then OPM says it’s not. Who are we supposed to listen to?”

This frustration was echoed by employees at multiple agencies, including the IRS, who described the situation as “bedlam.” Many were reluctant to speak on the record for fear of retribution.

High-profile agencies like the Justice Department, the Pentagon, and the FBI ultimately told their staff not to follow Musk’s request. Meanwhile, others, such as the Commerce and Transportation departments, instructed their employees to comply, but some sought clarification on how to submit their responses.

The chaos surrounding Musk’s email began on Saturday when the OPM email disrupted workflow across various agencies, leading to impromptu meetings and discussions on how to handle the situation. Employees were bombarded with conflicting directives, and some had to scramble to provide their weekly reports while keeping up with their actual jobs.

For employees at the Federal Aviation Administration, who were already dealing with staffing shortages, the added pressure from Musk’s request was seen as a distraction. Their union criticized Musk’s email, stating it came at a critical time when air safety was already at risk.

Some agencies like NASA declared they would respond on behalf of their workers, ensuring that individual employees wouldn’t face consequences for not responding. In stark contrast, employees at OPM received their guidance much later, underscoring the disarray within the system.

As federal workers navigated this confusion, some took a lighthearted approach. At the IRS, colleagues joked about the email, creating a sarcastic list of their efforts in response to Musk’s demands. Others at the Environmental Protection Agency felt the pressure to comply, expressing concern that appeasing Musk could lead to more aggressive actions against their agency.

Employees across the board expressed their feelings of conflict, wanting to showcase their hard work while being wary of sharing information that could be misused. The uncertainty left many feeling disturbed by the overall tenor from the top levels of government.

By the end of the day, Trump reiterated his stance, suggesting that those who did not respond might not be present, implying they could lose their jobs. Meanwhile, Musk’s remarks on social media indicated he would not back down, proposing that those who failed to respond would risk termination in the future.

This email fiasco served as a stark reminder of the complexities and pressures facing federal employees in the current climate—a situation that might only be resolved as clear and consistent leadership emerges.

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