DOGE Bites No One: Federal Workers Told To Ignore Elon Musk’s Email

Musk’s directive to federal employees to justify their jobs falls flat as the Office of Personnel Management says it's safe to disregard his message.

WASHINGTON – The federal government’s human resources agency on Monday told federal agencies their employees don’t actually have to respond to an email sent over the weekend demanding they list off their accomplishments or be fired.

The email, sent Saturday at the direction of Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and a top adviser to President Donald Trump, sent shockwaves through Washington and represented yet another attempt by Trump and Musk to gut the federal government workforce. Monday afternoon’s instructions, though, reduced the email to irrelevancy.

HuffPost obtained an email from the Social Security Administration’s HR department, sent Monday afternoon, telling workers that OPM clarified its policy.

“Pursuant to updated OPM guidance, responses to the email from sender ‘HR’ dated Saturday, February 22, are voluntary. Non-responses are not considered a resignation,” the email said.

Spokespeople for OPM did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The New York Times first reported the reversal.