A newly amended lawsuit has emerged challenging a recent threat by Elon Musk directed at federal workers. Musk, leveraging his influence on social media, warned these employees to respond to an email demanding a summary of their weekly accomplishments by Monday, or face forced resignation.
The updated filing in the San Francisco federal court highlights the confusion and controversy within the federal government regarding the email sent on Saturday by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Employees across various major departments, including the Pentagon, were advised to refrain from responding until further notice.
Elon Musk, known for his leadership at Tesla and other companies, has been assigned by President Donald Trump to spearhead efforts in reducing federal government spending and workforce. This initiative, referred to as Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has spurred significant debate.
The original lawsuit, filed by a coalition of unions representing federal employees, challenges OPM and its acting director, Charles Ezell. The suit seeks a judicial injunction to prevent OPM from unlawfully terminating thousands of federal workers, citing violations of federal constitutional and statutory law.
Sunday's amendment to the lawsuit addresses OPM's new mandatory reporting program that affects all federal employees. An email titled "What did you do last week?" was sent from a new OPM address, requesting employees to list approximately five accomplishments and CC their manager by Monday at 11:59 EST.
On Saturday, Musk tweeted on his social media platform, X, consistent with President Trump's directives. He stated that failing to respond to the email would be considered a resignation, sparking immediate backlash.
Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, one of the unions involved in the lawsuit, condemned Musk's actions. Kelley criticized both Musk and the Trump Administration for their lack of regard for federal employees and the essential services they provide.
The amended lawsuit points out the absence of any prior notice in the Federal Register or elsewhere regarding any OPM requirement for federal workers to report their weekly activities. The suit alleges OPM's non-compliance with procedural norms.
Following the email blast, agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Justice Department, Defense Department, State Department, and national intelligence agencies advised their employees not to immediately respond to OPM's unexpected request.
