Elon Musk email sets Capitol Hill ablaze
Democrats in Congress are up in arms over a recent email sent by Elon Musk to federal workers, requesting that they list five accomplishments from the past week or face possible termination. Many lawmakers are calling the email illegal and unconstitutional, with some questioning Musk’s competence and intentions.
The email, titled “What did you do last week?” was sent out by the Office of Personnel Management at Musk’s direction. While some federal agencies advised employees that compliance was not necessary, the American Federation of Federal Workers and other groups have filed a lawsuit against the OPM, arguing that workers cannot be fired for not responding to the email.
Representative Seth Moulton of Massachusetts stated that Musk and Trump appear to have little regard for the law, while Representative Jesus Garcia of Illinois questioned Musk’s authority to issue such demands. Representative Becca Balint of Vermont went as far as to say that Musk has no idea what he’s doing and is incompetent.
In response to the controversy, Musk defended the email as a “pulse check” to ensure that government employees were actually working and not fraudulently collecting paychecks. President Trump supported the message, stating that those who do not respond should be fired.
Democrats like Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington State expressed concern over the potential consequences of firing federal workers who do not comply with the email, emphasizing the importance of government services to Americans. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon labeled the email as an example of “cancel culture” and accused Musk of wanting to replace professionals with loyalists.
On the other hand, Republicans like Representative Brandon Gill of Texas praised Musk for challenging the entrenched bureaucracy and fighting against waste and abuse. Representative Chip Roy of Texas echoed this sentiment, stating that it is important for government employees to be responsive to their superiors.
Overall, the email from Elon Musk has sparked a heated debate in Congress, with Democrats and Republicans divided over its legality and implications. The White House, as well as Musk’s DOGE spokesperson, has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
