On Saturday, on the behest of unelected billionaire Elon Musk, the Workplace of Personnel Administration emailed over 2 million federal employees, with the topic line “What did you do final week?” demanding they listing roughly 5 duties they achieved prior to now week. To up the stakes, Musk posted on his X platform, “Failure to reply can be taken as a resignation.”
And the outrage has been swift.
The unions for 2 teams of presidency workers—the American Federation of Authorities Staff and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Staff—filed a lawsuit on Sunday, saying that OPM’s demand “has not complied with any procedural necessities” below the Administrative Process Act, which states that it should first present a notice-and-comment interval beforehand.
“As soon as once more, Elon Musk and the Trump Administration have proven their utter disdain for federal workers and the vital companies they supply to the American individuals,” AFGE President Everett Kelley mentioned in a press launch. “It’s merciless and disrespectful to a whole lot of 1000’s of veterans who’re carrying their second uniform within the civil service to be compelled to justify their job duties to this out-of-touch, privileged, unelected billionaire who has by no means carried out one single hour of trustworthy public service in his life.”
Federal businesses such because the FBI, State Division, and Pentagon are additionally reportedly blowing Musk off by instructing their workers to disregard his ridiculous request.
“The FBI, by means of the Workplace of the Director, is in control of all of our evaluation processes, and can conduct evaluations in accordance with FBI procedures,” wrote newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel in an electronic mail. “When and if additional data is required, we’ll coordinate the responses. For now, please pause any responses.”
On Monday, the Trump administration reportedly plans to stroll again the order, based on Politico. It plans to provide the businesses some allowance in how a lot they adhere to the request.
Nonetheless, that’s unlikely to cease the backlash.
Activists took to the Reddit web page for 50501—which stands for 50 protests, 50 states, in the future—to share the electronic mail handle offered within the OPM electronic mail ([email protected]), with the objective of “flood[ing] the servers” with spam. Practically 500 feedback have poured in on one Reddit thread, with customers sharing that they have been signing up the e-mail handle for erectile dysfunction merchandise, intercourse store electronic mail lists, and hair plug commercials.
“I spent some time signing him up for help teams for males with botched penile implants,” one consumer wrote.
“Watch out although with what electronic mail you utilize! A throwaway is finest and positively nothing related along with your skilled/work lives,” one other consumer wrote.
Democratic senators additionally damage Musk’s emotions on X over the weekend.
After Washington Sen. Patty Murray’s scathing speech on the Senate flooring wherein she blamed Musk’s anti-government workings on his allegedly poor studying comprehension abilities, Musk replied to her on X and requested, in a not-at-all-triggered method, “What did you get carried out this week?”
“I work for the individuals of WA state, not you,” Murray replied.
Democratic Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota was additionally on the assault.
“That is the final word dick boss transfer from Musk – besides he isn’t even the boss, he’s only a dick,” Smith wrote on X on Saturday to a screenshot of Musk’s risk to federal employees. Her phrasing right here—calling Musk, properly, a dick—is turning into common on the left.
“I guess lots of people have had an expertise like this with a foul boss – there’s an electronic mail in your inbox on Saturday evening saying, ‘Show to me your worthiness by Monday or else.’ I’m on the aspect of the employees, not the billionaire asshole bosses,” she added.
Nonetheless, some are prepared to problem Musk.
Ever the sycophant, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reportedly instructed his 80,000 workers on the Division of Well being and Human Companies to conform. And even Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia, who beat common New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for a management place, advised employees to give in to the absurd demand.
Musk may assume he’s working a tech start-up the place workers soar at his each whim, however the federal authorities doesn’t work like that. With unions, lawmakers, and even whole businesses brazenly defying his ridiculous calls for, it seems civil servants aren’t as simply bullied as Tesla interns.
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