Trump’s Leaders at Federal Agencies Rebuff Musk Demand That Workers Justify Their Week or Be Fired

The directive that all federal employees share what work they accomplished last week or be fired is running into resistance, including from President Trump’s choices to lead federal departments.

Leaders at the Pentagon, the State Department, the Office of National Intelligence and the FBI told their workers Sunday to ignore the edict that originated with Elon Musk, Mr. Trump’s efficiency czar, and a federal workers union immediately vowed to sue.

Leading the refusal was FBI Director Kash Patel, who directed bureau staff to ignore a request.

“FBI personnel may have received an email from OPM requesting information,” Mr. Patel, who has orders from Mr. Trump to clean house, said in a message to employees. “The FBI, through the Office of the Director, is in charge of all of our review processes, and will conduct reviews in accordance with FBI procedures. When and if further information is required, we will coordinate the responses. For now, please pause any response.”

Mr. Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, issued the justify-your-job ultimatum Saturday, soon after the president encouraged him to be more “aggressive” in his cost-cutting efforts. (Read more from “Trump’s Leaders at Federal Agencies Rebuff Musk Demand That Workers Justify Their Week or Be Fired” HERE)