Attorneys representing federal workers filed an updated lawsuit Monday against billionaire entrepreneur and Trump adviser Elon Musk, alleging that his weekend directive demanding employees justify their accomplishments or face termination violated federal law.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in California, seeks to block mass layoffs tied to an email sent by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on Saturday, which required federal employees to detail five accomplishments from the previous week by Monday night.
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The legal challenge, brought by unions, business veterans, and conservation groups, accuses Musk and the Trump administration of orchestrating “one of the most massive employment frauds in the history of this country.” The complaint argues that no OPM rule, regulation, or policy has ever required federal workers to submit such reports, calling the move unprecedented and unlawful.
Elon Musk, who is spearheading President Donald Trump’s efforts to streamline and downsize the federal government, doubled down on his demands Monday morning, warning federal employees on his social media platform, X, that those who fail to take the email seriously will “soon be furthering their career elsewhere.” He also escalated Trump’s call for an end to remote work, stating that employees who do not return to the office will be placed on administrative leave.
The controversy began over the weekend when Trump praised Musk on Truth Social, saying, “ELON IS DOING A GREAT JOB, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM GET MORE AGGRESSIVE. REMEMBER, WE HAVE A COUNTRY TO SAVE, BUT ULTIMATELY, TO MAKE GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE. MAGA.”
Musk responded by announcing that all federal employees would receive an email asking them to account for their work from the previous week, adding that “failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.”
The directive has sparked a heated debate within conservative circles, with some applauding Musk’s no-nonsense approach to rooting out inefficiency in the federal bureaucracy, while others warn of potential overreach and legal pitfalls.
Supporters argue that Musk’s methods, which mirror his management style at companies like Tesla and SpaceX, are necessary to hold government employees accountable and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.
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However, critics, including some within the Trump administration, have raised concerns about the legality and practicality of Musk’s demands.
Key agencies led by Trump loyalists, including the FBI, State Department, Homeland Security, and the Pentagon, instructed their employees over the weekend not to comply with the OPM email.
Lawmakers from both parties have also questioned the legality of the mandate.
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