The Trump administration has issued a second wave of emails to federal employees, requesting detailed summaries of their weekly work. This follows an earlier attempt that was met with confusion and resistance.
Reuters has verified that the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the federal government’s human resources agency, sent these emails to multiple departments. Employees were asked to list five key accomplishments from the past week.
The renewed effort is being led by billionaire Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), as the administration seeks to significantly reduce the federal workforce through mass layoffs.
“The President has made it clear that this is mandatory for the executive branch,” Musk stated on X. He added that employees working on classified or sensitive matters must still respond but can indicate the nature of their work as sensitive.
A similar initiative last week included a warning that noncompliant employees could face termination. However, it faltered when agencies such as the State and Justice Departments advised staff to follow internal protocols instead. OPM later clarified that responding was voluntary.
Despite this, Musk—backed by President Donald Trump—continued advocating for the emails, arguing they are necessary to ensure accountability. Both Musk and Trump have suggested that some federal employees on the payroll may not actually exist.
Concerns Over Mass Layoffs
Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and labor unions, argue that widespread job cuts could weaken essential government functions and services.
The second round of emails does not explicitly threaten penalties for noncompliance but states that employees are expected to submit responses at the start of each workweek.
According to reports, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has instructed Pentagon employees to comply. However, the State Department has once again advised staff to refrain from responding. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), citing national security concerns, has directed employees to reply to an internal accountability email address. The Justice Department has also received the directive, with Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Ed Martin, telling employees in his office to comply.
Musk announced on Saturday that “all federal government departments are cooperating with @DOGE.” He added that in some agencies, such as the State Department and Department of Defense, supervisors are compiling weekly reports on behalf of employees.
Reuters has confirmed that the emails were also sent to workers at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These agencies have been targeted by DOGE for downsizing.
Workforce Reductions Already Underway
Last week, Musk’s team directed agencies to submit plans by March 13 outlining significant workforce reductions.
So far, approximately 100,000 federal employees have either accepted buyouts or been dismissed as part of Trump’s effort to shrink the federal government. The government currently employs around 2.3 million workers.
The layoffs have been so abrupt that some agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have had to recall essential personnel to maintain public safety.
On Friday, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced it would be cutting 7,000 jobs and closing several regional offices.
The administration has also dismantled a team of tech experts responsible for developing the IRS’s free tax filing system and modernizing government websites. In an email to staff, Thomas Shedd, Director of Technology Transformation Services at the General Services Administration (GSA), confirmed that the 18F team had been deemed “non-critical” and disbanded.
Established during the Obama administration, 18F functioned as an in-house tech consultancy, streamlining bureaucratic processes and improving public-facing government platforms.
Legal and Political Fallout
Musk’s involvement in DOGE has raised legal concerns, with multiple lawsuits seeking to prevent him from accessing government systems and sensitive data. The lawsuits argue that Musk and DOGE are exercising unconstitutional authority, as government agencies must be created through congressional legislation or appointments requiring Senate confirmation.
His role has also led to tension within Trump’s administration. While Trump fully supports the initiative, some White House officials remain uncertain about Musk’s exact position. Although Musk is not a Cabinet member and was never confirmed by the Senate, the administration has remained evasive about his official role within DOGE.