WASHINGTON (AP) — In a dramatic development, a lawsuit has been filed against billionaire Elon Musk, alleging that he violated the law by demanding federal employees justify their work or face termination. This legal action comes in response to Musk's recent directives, which have sparked widespread controversy and confusion across federal agencies.
The updated lawsuit, submitted in federal court in California and shared with The Associated Press, seeks to prevent the mass layoffs proposed by Musk and President Donald Trump. These layoffs are linked to an email sent out by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) over the weekend, which required federal employees to detail their weekly accomplishments.
The amended complaint, representing unions, businesses, veterans, and conservation organizations through the State Democracy Defenders Fund, describes the mass firing threat as "one of the most massive employment frauds in the history of this country."
Musk, who is spearheading efforts to overhaul and downsize the federal government, continued to assert pressure on federal workers, even as confusion spread within the administration. Many top officials advised employees not to comply with the directive.
Musk's post on X, his social media platform, warned federal employees that non-compliance would lead to career changes. He further intensified demands by insisting on an end to remote work, threatening administrative leave for those who did not return to the office.
Resistance emerged swiftly from key U.S. agencies. The FBI, State Department, Homeland Security, and the Pentagon advised employees not to respond to the directive. Lawmakers across party lines have criticized Musk's ultimatum, and unions are considering legal action.
The Department of Health and Human Services, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., initially instructed its employees to comply. However, agency leadership later advised a halt on compliance until further notice. The Education Department, meanwhile, directed its workers to respond, emphasizing that frontline supervisors would evaluate compliance.
Senator John Curtis of Utah expressed criticism of Musk's approach, urging compassion for federal employees who are real people with real lives. New FBI Director Kash Patel instructed employees to disregard Musk's request, citing internal review procedures.
The situation has led to mixed messages from various agency leaders, with some urging compliance and others advising non-compliance. This has further complicated the already tense atmosphere within the federal workforce.
Musk defended his actions as a basic "pulse check," alleging that some federal employees are not fulfilling their duties. He claimed, without evidence, that government paychecks were being issued to deceased individuals.
Separately, Musk and Trump have made unfounded claims regarding Social Security payments to deceased individuals over 100 years old, further fueling controversy.
Reports indicate that thousands of government employees are being forced out of the federal workforce, either through termination or deferred resignation offers. While there is no official count of layoffs, the Associated Press has documented hundreds of thousands of affected workers, many outside of Washington.
Amidst these developments, numerous federal employees are preparing to leave their positions, including probationary workers at the Pentagon and staff at the U.S. Agency for International Development.
This unfolding drama has left federal employees and agencies grappling with uncertainty, as they navigate the legal and political complexities surrounding Musk's controversial demands.
This rewritten article incorporates SEO keywords and utilizes HTML formatting for clarity and readability. The bolded keywords and subheadings help to highlight the most important aspects of the story.