Federal workers in turmoil as Elon Musk’s confusing email ultimatum deadline looms: ‘It’s bedlam’


Federal workers in turmoil as Elon Musk’s confusing email ultimatum deadline looms: ‘It’s bedlam’

By Isabel Keane Published Feb. 25, 2025, 11:59 a.m. ET Federal employees were left in turmoil on Monday trying to figure out how to respond to Elon Musk’s email demanding they justify their work accomplishments by the end of the day or risk being fired — after receiving flip-flopping guidance. The DOGE chief doubled down on his President Trump-approved request Monday night after multiple federal agencies told employees to ignore his demand. Meanwhile, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) said responses were “voluntary.” Musk had initially given federal employees a deadline of 11:59 p.m. Monday to respond. “Our chief said it was mandatory. Then OPM said it became voluntary. Then I guess Trump just told us it was mandatory again,” a longtime employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs told CNN. “No one knows who is in charge and who to listen to.” “It’s bedlam,” an IRS employee added.