Hundreds of thousands of federal employees are starting their week in confusion. They must submit a list of recent accomplishments by Monday night or risk losing their jobs. President Donald Trump’s cost-cutting chief, Elon Musk, set the deadline.

Agencies Push Back Against Musk’s Order

Many key agencies are refusing to comply. The FBI, State Department, Homeland Security, and the Pentagon instructed employees not to respond. Lawmakers from both parties questioned the legality of Musk’s demand. Meanwhile, unions are preparing lawsuits.

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Over the weekend, Trump urged Musk to be even more aggressive. He mocked federal employees in a social media meme, saying they “cried about Trump and Elon.”

Employees Given 48 Hours to Report Work

On Saturday, Musk’s team sent an email to federal workers. They had just 48 hours to list five accomplishments from the past week. Later, Musk warned on X that anyone who missed the 11:59 p.m. EST Monday deadline would be fired.

Agencies reacted differently. Some told employees to comply. Others resisted. Many sent conflicting instructions, leaving workers confused.

Mixed Messages at Health and Human Services

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) changed its stance multiple times. First, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told 80,000 employees to follow the order. Then, Acting General Counsel Sean Keveney advised against it. By Sunday evening, leadership told employees to “pause activities” until Monday noon.

Keveney voiced his frustration. “I worked over 70 hours last week advancing the administration’s priorities,” he wrote in an email. “I was personally insulted to receive this request.”

He also raised legal concerns. Some employees’ work is protected under attorney-client privilege. “I have received no assurances that responses to this email will be safeguarded,” he added.

Bipartisan Criticism of Musk’s Demand

Both Democrats and some Republicans condemned Musk’s approach. Senator John Curtis, a Utah Republican, urged him to show compassion.

“If I could say one thing to Elon Musk, it’s this—show some empathy,” Curtis said on CBS’ Face the Nation. “These are real people with real mortgages. You can cut costs without cruelty.”

FBI, Pentagon, and Homeland Security Resist

Newly appointed FBI Director Kash Patel told employees to ignore Musk’s order. “The FBI, through the Office of the Director, handles all review processes,” he stated. “For now, do not respond.”

The Pentagon took a similar stance. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Jules Hurst told employees to hold off on replying.

Homeland Security also reassured its workers. “No reporting action from you is needed,” wrote Deputy Undersecretary R.D. Alles. He added that agency managers would handle any necessary responses.

Conflicting Messages at the Justice Department

The Justice Department sent mixed signals. Interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin tried to clarify the situation but added to the confusion.

“We will comply with this OPM request, whether by replying or choosing not to reply,” he wrote, referring to the Office of Personnel Management.

He encouraged employees to make a “good faith effort” but also assured them he would back them in case of confusion. “We can do this,” he added.

Mass Firings and More Cuts Ahead

Since Trump’s second term began, thousands of federal workers have been forced out. Many accepted “deferred resignations.” Others were fired. The total number remains unknown, but the Associated Press estimates hundreds of thousands have been affected.

Musk Defends His Decision

On Sunday, Musk justified his mandate. “This is a basic pulse check,” he wrote on X.

He claimed some federal employees were doing so little work that they weren’t even checking emails. Without proof, he suggested that some workers were collecting paychecks under fake or deceased identities.

Trump and Musk also made another false claim. They insisted millions of people over 100 years old were still receiving Social Security payments.

More Layoffs Expected This Week

The federal workforce will shrink even further. This week, thousands more employees will leave. Cuts will hit probationary civilian workers at the Pentagon and most U.S. Agency for International Development staff.

Federal employees remain caught in the chaos. They face conflicting orders, legal battles, and growing uncertainty about their jobs.