Pentagon ends Elon Musk's weekly ‘What Did You Do?' emails as DOGE era winds down

Time of India

2 days ago

Pentagon ends Elon Musk's weekly 'What Did You Do?' emails as DOGE era winds down
In a move that marks the symbolic end of
Elon Musk
's short-lived but highly disruptive tenure as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (
DOGE
), the
Pentagon
has officially halted the weekly email directive that required federal workers to submit a list of five work-related accomplishments. The policy, initiated under Musk's controversial leadership, was widely criticized by civilian employees and lawmakers alike, drawing fire for its tone, implications, and lack of practicality.
The emails, bluntly titled
'What did you do last week?'
, were rolled out across the US federal workforce in March 2025, just weeks after Musk was appointed to the newly formed DOGE by President Donald Trump. What began as a Musk-style corporate tactic to monitor productivity quickly escalated into a bureaucratic flashpoint. With over 2.3 million government employees receiving the mandate, the measure sparked confusion, anxiety, and political backlash—particularly when Musk warned on social media that failing to respond would be considered a de facto resignation.
Now, with Musk preparing to leave his post, the Pentagon is pivoting away from the 'five bullet' performance reports. In its place, employees are being asked to contribute one idea to improve efficiency or eliminate waste, encouraging a more collaborative and less punitive approach. The shift is being seen as both an administrative reset and a political distancing from Musk's influence in the federal apparatus.
How Elon Musk's weekly 'What did you do last week' email sent federal employees into frenzy
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In February 2025, shortly after the Department of Government Efficiency was announced as part of President Trump's second-term initiative to cut federal spending, Elon Musk was tapped to lead the charge. Known for his unorthodox leadership at Tesla and SpaceX, Musk wasted no time applying a Silicon Valley-style management technique to Washington.
On February 22, 2025, Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter):
'Consistent with President @realDonaldTrump's instructions, all federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week. Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.'
That statement sent shockwaves through federal agencies. Although initially dismissed as hyperbole, it was soon followed by official memos directing employees to submit weekly updates with five 'bullet points' outlining their accomplishments. The directive was rolled out via the Office of Personnel Management and reached departments as varied as Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Energy.
Backlash from within and beyond the Pentagon
Despite the directive's goal of enhancing transparency and accountability, it faced swift resistance. Civilian employees—many with military backgrounds or years of public service—expressed frustration over what they viewed as a demeaning exercise.
Congressman Joe Courtney, ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, was particularly vocal. In an interview, he stated:
'For months, dedicated Defense Department civilians received Elon Musk's insulting 'five things' emails. Many of these people served in the military, are highly trained and experienced, and are doing this job because they actually care about the mission.'
Internal communications within the Department of Defense initially advised employees to ignore the emails, but by late March, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had reversed course, issuing his own memo requiring weekly reports. He warned that 'non-compliance may lead to further review,' further escalating tensions.
Pentagon ends Elon Musk's weekly email policy, calls for ideas to cut waste
On May 29, 2025, the Pentagon formally scrapped the policy. Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Jules Hurst, sent out an email thanking staff for their participation and announcing a final request:
'To conclude the 'five bullet' exercise, we need one last input from you… Please submit one idea that will improve the Department's efficiency or root out waste.'
The directive, while ending one controversial practice, hinted at a desire to maintain momentum in reforming bloated or inefficient systems—this time, by inviting employee creativity rather than mandating performance summaries.
According to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, the now-discontinued emails had provided 'insights into their employees' contributions, fostered accountability, and helped to identify opportunities for greater efficiency.' However, he added that the department remains committed to 'driving meaningful change' without relying on burdensome oversight tactics.
Elon Musk's exit and reflections on his federal tenure
Elon Musk's time in Washington was brief but intensely scrutinized. Though technically a special government employee, Musk brought outsized attention to DOGE and stirred controversy through a combination of blunt rhetoric, sweeping policy ideas, and his high-profile alignment with the Trump administration.
On the same day the Pentagon ended the email directive, Musk confirmed via X that his role in the federal government was drawing to a close. He thanked President Trump for the opportunity and expressed disappointment in the limited fiscal impact DOGE had achieved.
'The ⁦‪@DOGE‬⁩ mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government,'
Musk posted.
However, he also criticized the lack of concrete budget cuts in what he described as the 'big, beautiful bill' endorsed by the administration, signaling a rift between his expectations and the political realities of Washington.
What comes next for DOGE and government efficiency
With Musk stepping down, the future of the Department of Government Efficiency remains uncertain. While the Trump administration insists DOGE will remain operational, the departure of its flagship figure—and the public disapproval of some of its methods—has raised questions about the department's long-term viability.
For now, Defense Secretary Hegseth appears to be redirecting the efficiency campaign toward more conventional and collaborative methods. By soliciting employee ideas to reduce waste, the department hopes to retain the original spirit of reform without the heavy-handed tactics associated with Musk.
The deadline for staff to submit their efficiency proposals was midday Wednesday, though the Pentagon has not disclosed what ideas have been submitted or whether any will be implemented.
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