CNN
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In the latest move targeting the federal workforce of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, employees began asking them to explain their work Saturday afternoon.
However, several national security agencies, including the FBI, and several other federal departments, have advised staff not to respond to emails immediately, and have not been notified or prepared to the broader administrative department about demand. It suggests that.
The email came from the new HR email address of the Office of offering of of the Office, but it was not signed. The subject line reads, “What did you do last week?”
“Please reply to this email with about. CC manager with 5 bullets and five managers of what you achieved last week. Please do not send any classified information, links or attachments.”
CNN has obtained copies of emails sent to federal employees at multiple agencies. Many were sent with importance and red exclamation points.
The email explosion came shortly after a social media post that masks threatened work for workers who disobeyed them.
“In line with President @realdonaldtrump’s instructions, all federal employees will receive an email immediately asking them to understand what they did last week,” Musk told X on Saturday. I’ve posted it.
However, the email itself does not state that a failure to respond will be taken as a resignation. Submission deadline is Monday at 11:59pm ET.
The email sent shockwaves through the federal workforce already caught up in a string of orders from the Trump administration, including the recent termination of thousands of employees regarding probation status. It is a resignation offer that many consider suspicious and has repeated requirements to return to the office. – Especially time.
One president of the Union branch began to retrieve texts from the “nonstop” of those involved, following mask posts and OPM emails.
“I have nothing to mean emails around the world,” union official told CNN, telling members “If not, I’ll wait until I give them advice.” Ta.
Musk cannot force federal employees to resign, and attempting to do so is an unwilling dismissal, federal employment law expert and managing partner for Talley Linkey. Michael Falllings told CNN. If workers are affected, they can file a request to challenge the action.
“Musk’s comments have no legal authority,” Falllings said, requiring employees to report their work since last week is a “irrational and unnecessary request,” and especially coming on weekends. It stated that it includes any deadlines.
Employees should discuss emails with their managers. If so, the union official states that it applies before responding.
Some agencies also advise workers to still respond to emails at agencies where employees may be sensitive to their duties.
FBI Director Kash Patel told Bureau employees on Saturday not to respond to OPM emails immediately.
In an email to staff at the department obtained by CNN, Patel said: “The FBI is responsible for the entire review process through the director’s office and conducts reviews according to the FBI procedures. If more information is required, we will coordinate the response. Please pause the response for the time being. ”
Patel’s email came after senior leaders at the FBI’s NY Field Office and other departments told employees not to respond, someone explained the issue said.
National Security Agency employees were notified Saturday that they should refrain from responding until they receive further guidance from the Department of Defense, sources said.
Ed Martin, a US lawyer for the District of Columbia, sent an email advised employees to commit to protecting responses “general” when necessary. “If someone gives you a problem, I’ll have your back,” Martin wrote.
In contrast, the head of the US Secret Service instructed staff to comply with OPM emails, but noted that agents have resources available to employees “in an era of uncertainty.” did.
In a message to the Secret Service Workforce on Saturday obtained by CNN, Coach Shaun Curran confirmed that the employees in the emails they previously received from OPM are legitimate and “need to have your response.” I did. Curran also said employees who did not receive a message from the federal government’s top personnel agency should actively contact the OPM to justify their work.
“I understand that this request can raise questions,” Curran continued. “We have resources available to all Secret Service employees, including employee assistance programs, peer support programs and pastoral programs, which can provide support in times of uncertainty.”
The head of the top union representing federal workers has denounced masks ultimatum, reflecting the Trump administration’s “completely sloppy to federal workers and the important services they provide to Americans.” He told CNN in a statement.
“For hundreds of thousands of veterans wearing second uniforms in civil servants, duties against privileged and unelected billionaires with this touch who have never performed an hour-long run. It is cruel and rude to be forced to justify it, says Everett Kelly, national president of the United States Federation of Government Employees, representing more than 800,000 federal workers.
Kelly said his union plans to take legal action to “challenge illegal termination of members and federal employees.”
Doreen Greenwald, president of the National Treasury Officers Union, called the OPM email “completely non-American.”
“Emails to federal workers across the country this afternoon, ‘What did you do last week?’ should be called completely non-American,” Greenwald said in a statement. “NTEU members are professional civil servants and we will not return to these blatant attempts to attack resources that are important to the American people.”
One federal worker told CNN he felt there was a demand for “shaming” and “absolutely surprising” especially given that work activities have already been tracked.
“It’s a ruthless, calculated and yet another low-down tactic to drive away employees that have not yet been touched,” the worker said of Musk’s post that the non-reaction would be considered a resignation.
Another federal official told CNN he felt compelled to reply.
“Personally, I’m afraid that I won’t respond at a deadline based on Elon’s tweet that non-responses will be considered resignation,” said friends at other agencies, “are on the fence about whether they’ll respond and whether they’ll respond.” “He said. Responding with actual results or bullets of oaths made to the Constitution. ”
Trump tapped Musk to rebuild the federal government with his government efficiency. However, it is unclear whether this latest move is legal.
An OPM spokesperson said in a statement that the move was intended to be a “commitment to an efficient and accountable federal workforce.” The spokesperson said “we will decide on the next step.”
Shortly after Mask’s Saturday post, Trump called the X’s owner “patriots” and said he “does an incredible job” during his remarks at a conservative political action conference.
Musk’s Saturday comments, following a previous post from Trump, suggests that the tech billionaire is hoping to become more aggressive.
“Elon does a great job, but I hope he becomes more aggressive. Remember, we have a country that saves money, but in the end it’s bigger than ever There are countries to do it. Magazine! “I read Trump’s post. Musk replied, “No way, it’s the president!” In his own post.
The email comes as Musk and Trump try to rebuild federal workers. It scales down, replaces career workers with political appointees, wipes out public servant protections, and ends diversity efforts.
This story has been updated with a new report.
Reported by CNN’s Betsy Klein, Jamie Gangel and Sean Lyngass.
