Elon Musk’s Ultimatum to Federal Workers Sparks Tensions with White House

Elon Musk’s recent directive requiring U.S. federal employees to detail their weekly accomplishments or face termination has escalated tensions within the Trump administration. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) disseminated this mandate to approximately 2.3 million civil-service workers, following President Trump’s public encouragement for Musk to intensify his efforts with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This move reportedly blindsided senior White House officials, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who believed prior approval processes were in place for such actions. In response to the ensuing confusion and pushback from various agencies, Musk extended the deadline, offering employees “another chance” to comply. Despite internal disagreements, President Trump continues to support Musk’s initiatives, viewing them as necessary measures to enhance governmental efficiency.