A rift has appeared between President Donald Trump’s agency heads and Elon Musk, who is tasked with reforming the federal government, over a directive to submit a list of tasks performed on the job in the past week.
Federal Workers Feel Vulnerable Amid Musk’s Push for Government Overhaul
A rift has appeared between some of President Donald Trump‘s agency heads and Elon Musk, who is tasked with reforming the federal government. The issue stems from a Saturday email from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that instructs workers to submit a list of tasks they performed on the job in the past week.
Agency Heads Push Back Against Musk’s Directive
Leaders at several major federal agencies have instructed their staff not to reply to the OPM email. The Pentagon, Federal Bureau of Investigation, State Department, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Energy are among those that have told employees to pause any responses to the email. Some agency heads, including Kash Patel at the FBI, have stated that they will conduct reviews in accordance with their own procedures.
Criticism from Republicans
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has criticized Musk’s plan, calling it an ‘absurd weekend email‘. She also suggested that Musk should get to know each department and agency before attempting to overhaul the federal government. Sen. John Curtis (R-UT) echoed her concerns, stating that the directive is a ‘false narrative’ that requires workers to be cruel in order to cut costs.
Lisa Murkowski is an American politician serving as a United States Senator for Alaska since 2002.
Born on May 22, 1957, in Ketchikan, Alaska, she graduated from Georgetown University and received her law degree from the Willamette University College of Law.
Murkowski was first elected to the Senate in 2002, following the death of her father, Frank Murkowski.
She has since been re-elected three times.
As a senator, Murkowski serves on several committees, including Energy and Natural Resources and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Federal Workers Feel Vulnerable
Many federal employees are raising alarms over Musk’s push to reshape the US government. The mounting pressure has left them feeling vulnerable and uncertain about their jobs. Latisha Thompson, a clinical social worker with the Department of Veterans Affairs, called the request ‘insulting and disrespectful‘. She also expressed concerns about the potential impact on sensitive information about veterans’ health conditions.
Impact on National Parks
The staffing crisis at national parks is becoming increasingly dire. Cuts in Arizona have affected 10% of US Forest Service workers, while thousands of jobs are being cut nationwide. The situation has sparked outrage among park visitors and employees alike.
Established in 1872, the United States' national park system is a network of protected areas that conserve unique natural and cultural resources.
With over 63 million acres managed by the National Park Service (NPS), these parks attract millions of visitors annually.
The NPS operates more than 400 sites, including iconic destinations like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon.
National parks provide habitat for diverse wildlife, support outdoor recreation, and offer opportunities for scientific research.
Workers Speak Out Against Musk’s Directive
Andria Townsend, a specialist on carnivore species at Yosemite National Park, was abruptly fired this month after working late one Friday evening. She had been in her current role for less than a year and felt that the termination notice was unfair. The incident has sparked public attention and protests against the cuts.
Uncertainty Disrupts Ability to Serve
The uncertainty surrounding Musk’s directive is already disrupting federal workers’ ability to serve veterans, protect public lands, and steward the environment. As Thompson put it, ‘We’re here to serve the American public, not private interests.‘
