Federal workers get another "what did you do" email, without Musk threat

Axios

03-03-2025

Federal workers reportedly got another email Friday night asking them to document their weekly activities — though so far this time, there's been no explicit threat from Elon Musk they'll lose their jobs if they don't reply.
Why it matters: The Musk-led campaign to slash the federal workforce is accelerating, and the emails may end up being another way to justify cutting thousands of jobs.
Catch up quick: NPR and Government Executive reported the new emails went out late Friday night, asking workers to send five bullet points documenting their activities by 11:59 p.m. ET Monday night.
The emails do not mention any consequences for failing to respond.
"The President has made it clear that this is mandatory for the executive branch," Musk posted on X Saturday morning.
Flashback: A week ago, federal workers got a similar email, with a warning from Musk posted to X that failing to respond would be considered a resignation.
The White House later clarified that responses were actually entirely voluntary, and many federal agencies told their employees not to answer.
About half the federal workforce ultimately responded. Unions representing large chunks of that workforce sued, alleging the emails were illegal and that the Office of Personnel Management didn't have the authority to fire anyone who didn't answer.
President Trump later said those who didn't answer were "on the bubble."
Musk, for his part, described the email as a test to see if people were actually alive and working.
What we're watching: How agencies actually respond this time, and whether they order their employees to comply or not.
The emails may have a different urgency now, given White House directives to agencies this week to prepare large-scale layoffs by March 13.