In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, the DOD has instructed its civilian workforce to ignore an email sent out by DOGE requesting federal employees to report their accomplishments from the previous week. The email, which was part of a larger effort to root out inefficiencies and fraud within the federal workforce, sparked backlash from defense officials who have refused to comply with the directive.
The Controversial Email
The controversy began when Elon Musk announced on X (formerly Twitter) that all federal employees would soon receive an email asking them to report their accomplishments over the previous week. In the post, Musk emphasized that any employee who did not respond would be considered to have resigned. His exact words were: “Consistent with President @realDonaldTrump’s instructions, all federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week. Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.”
Musk’s reasoning behind the email was twofold. First, he argued that many government employees were not fulfilling their roles and were failing to check their emails or contribute meaningfully to their departments. He pointed out that in some cases, non-existent employees or even the identities of deceased individuals were being used to collect paychecks, suggesting that fraud was rampant in some areas of the government.
To clarify, Musk said, “To be clear, the bar is very low here. An email with some bullet points that make any sense at all is acceptable! Should take less than 5 mins to write.” He added that this simple request was necessary to identify employees who were checked out from their jobs or actively defrauding the system.
DOD Pushes Back
However, not everyone was on board with Musk’s initiative. The DOD, under acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness Darin Selnick, strongly rejected the demand. In an email to civilian DOD personnel, Selnick advised them not to respond to the email from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which had sent the request on Musk’s behalf. Selnick emphasized that the DOD would handle the performance review of its personnel according to its own procedures and that employees should “pause any response to the OPM email titled, ‘What did you do last week.'”
Selnick’s letter caused a stir within the Pentagon, as it signaled a direct refusal to comply with the request from DOGE. The DOD maintained that any performance reviews or assessments should come through the chain of command, rather than being overseen by Musk’s DOGE team. The decision to resist Musk’s directive also drew comments from other agencies, with some like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following suit in refusing to comply.
Elon Musk’s Response
Musk, known for his no-nonsense attitude, was not one to back down. In response to the DOD’s refusal to cooperate, Musk fired back with a blunt remark, saying, “Anyone with the attitude of that Pentagon official needs to look for a new job.” The comment, posted on X, sent ripples through the federal workforce, as Musk’s challenge implied that anyone unwilling to embrace the changes he was pushing for might not be fit for a government job.
His response further amplified the already significant divide between DOGE’s push for government efficiency and the established culture within the DOD and other agencies that felt threatened by his involvement. Musk’s insistence on accountability, transparency, and results-driven performance continued to clash with the more traditional, hierarchical structure of government agencies.
Agency Divisions Emerge
The refusal by the DOD to comply with Musk’s email request has led to notable divisions among federal agencies. Some agencies, such as the Social Security Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), embraced the initiative and instructed their employees to respond with lists of “impactful, mission-critical accomplishments” by the Monday deadline. Meanwhile, other agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), told their employees to await further guidance on how to proceed.
Mario Nawfal, a political analyst, commented on the growing divide, saying, “Agency responses to DOGE’s ‘What did you do last week?’ email show deep divisions: DOD and DHS order staff to ignore it. ‘Silliest thing in 40 years,’ says Pentagon official. Both agencies say they’ll respond through chain of command.”
This division highlights the broader debate about the role of innovation and new leadership in government processes. While some see Musk’s approach as an opportunity to modernize and streamline operations, others view it as an unwelcome disruption to the established order.
The Bigger Picture: A Cultural Clash
At its core, this confrontation between the DOD and DOGE underscores a deeper cultural clash within the federal government. On one side, Musk’s DOGE is pushing for radical reform and efficiency through technology, transparency, and accountability. On the other, traditional agencies like the DOD are wary of outside influence and feel that the autonomy and established procedures within their departments should remain undisturbed.
This clash also illustrates the ongoing tensions surrounding government bureaucracy. Many of Musk’s supporters argue that the current system is riddled with inefficiency, waste, and fraud, and that reform is long overdue. Meanwhile, critics of Musk’s approach worry that his heavy-handed tactics may be undermining the morale and expertise of federal employees.
Looking Forward: What’s Next?
As this battle continues to unfold, the future of federal workforce management could be at a crossroads. Musk’s push for more efficient government operations, combined with his disruptive approach, is likely to face resistance from entrenched bureaucrats who have grown accustomed to a slower, more procedural pace. However, the growing influence of DOGE under Musk’s leadership could bring about lasting change if his vision for a more results-oriented federal workforce gains traction.
For now, the confrontation between DOGE and the DOD is not just a public relations battle—it’s a fight over the future direction of federal governance. Whether Musk’s vision will ultimately prevail remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the clash between tradition and innovation within the federal government is only just beginning.
Sophia Reynolds is a dedicated journalist and a key contributor to Storyoftheday24.com. With a passion for uncovering compelling stories, Sophia Reynolds delivers insightful, well-researched news across various categories. Known for breaking down complex topics into engaging and accessible content, Sophia Reynolds has built a reputation for accuracy and reliability. With years of experience in the media industry, Sophia Reynolds remains committed to providing readers with timely and trustworthy news, making them a respected voice in modern journalism.
