Trump administration demands weekly accomplishments from federal workers

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has taken steps to downsize the federal workforce by soliciting weekly reports from federal employees. Starting on February 22, 2025, the White House, through the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), initiated a campaign asking employees to email a list of five completed tasks from the previous week. Despite less than half of federal workers responding initially, reports indicated that over one million employees complied with the request. The administration's strategy comes amidst claims from both President Trump and advisor Elon Musk that some federal workers may not even exist. Musk publicly stated that a failure to respond could be interpreted as a resignation, contributing to an atmosphere of anxiety among many in the federal workforce. As the emails continued, a second round of requests was sent out ahead of schedule, emphasizing the need for employees to provide their accomplishments and even CC their managers. Those who did not respond were highlighted as being on the 'bubble' of termination; particularly notable was a memo suggesting upcoming layoffs, indicating significant changes were on the horizon. The actions taken, including these mandatory reports, reflect broader initiatives aimed at increasing government efficiency and accountability while reducing headcount. This directive has sparked mixed reactions from federal employees, some of whom have openly resisted the demands, asserting their obligation to report solely within their departmental structures. The administration continues to move forward with its plans to reshape federal employment, leading to a climate characterized by uncertainty and heightened scrutiny of federal worker productivity.