A battle between federal employees and tech mogul Elon Musk unfolds as workers confront an unprecedented directive demanding proof of their weekly accomplishments.

According to Fox News, over one million federal workers have complied with Elon Musk and the Office of Personnel Management's requirement to submit bullet-point lists of their work achievements from the previous week.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the massive response during Tuesday's press briefing, emphasizing the simplicity of the task while defending the administration's approach to government efficiency. The directive, which came with a strict Monday deadline, has sparked intense debate about federal workplace accountability and management practices.

Trump administration backs controversial workforce assessment

President Donald Trump has thrown his full support behind the initiative, viewing it as an innovative method to identify non-performing government employees.

His endorsement carries significant weight in shaping the policy's implementation across federal agencies. The administration's stance reflects a broader push for increased transparency and efficiency in government operations.

Department of Government Efficiency Chair Musk implemented the directive on Saturday, setting a deadline of 11:59 p.m. Monday for employees to respond. Workers who failed to meet the deadline initially faced potential termination, though Musk later modified his position to allow for a second chance at compliance.

White House Press Secretary Leavitt demonstrated personal commitment to the initiative by participating herself. She emphasized the task's simplicity, noting it took her merely ninety seconds to complete the assignment.

Security agencies receive special exemption from directive

Several high-security departments received authorization to bypass the reporting requirement due to the sensitive nature of their work. The FBI, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security instructed their staff to disregard the email directive. This exemption acknowledges the unique operational requirements of agencies handling classified information.

President Trump characterized these exceptions as "friendly" rejections, specifically mentioning certain State Department operations where disclosing weekly activities could compromise national security. The administration's flexible approach demonstrates an understanding of the varying needs across different government sectors.

These exemptions highlight the complex balance between transparency initiatives and national security concerns in federal operations. The careful handling of sensitive departments shows the administration's awareness of potential security risks.

Musk intensifies pressure on federal workforce

Department of Government Efficiency Chair Musk expressed frustration with employees who failed to respond, taking to the social media platform X to criticize their performance. His posts reflected growing tension between government efficiency advocates and career civil servants.

Leavitt provided further clarification during Tuesday's briefing regarding compliance enforcement. She explained that individual agency heads would determine appropriate responses to non-compliance within their departments. This decentralized approach allows for department-specific solutions.

The White House official's statement emphasizes agency autonomy in handling personnel matters, suggesting a more nuanced implementation of the directive than initially presented. The administration appears to be balancing centralized policy goals with departmental independence.

Federal leaders demonstrate compliance through public reporting

Several Trump administration officials publicly shared their weekly accomplishments, setting an example for other federal employees. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Small Business Association Administrator Kelly Loeffler, and Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins openly participated in the initiative.

Their public compliance demonstrates high-level support for the accountability measure. These leaders' willingness to share their accomplishments publicly adds credibility to the administration's push for increased transparency.

The participation of cabinet-level officials sends a clear message about the administration's commitment to the initiative. Their example may influence other federal employees' attitudes toward the reporting requirement.

Immediate effects and next steps ahead

Elon Musk's unprecedented directive requiring federal employees to report their weekly accomplishments has resulted in over one million workers complying with the request. The initiative, backed by the Trump administration, aims to identify and address inefficiencies within the federal workforce while promoting greater accountability among government employees.

Individual agency heads now hold responsibility for determining consequences for non-compliance, while certain security-focused departments maintain exemptions from the requirement. The administration's approach balances the need for increased efficiency with the recognition of varying departmental needs and security considerations, setting the stage for potential further reforms in federal workforce management.