The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has once again stirred up attention among federal workers, urging them to detail their accomplishments as President Donald Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk intensify efforts to eliminate wasteful practices. This recent call to action was initiated through an email from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) titled "What did you do last week? Part II," deviating from the anticipated distribution method which was expected to be agency-specific rather than centralized through OPM.
Unlike the previous communication, this email instructed employees to provide five bullet points outlining their weekly achievements, with a deadline set for Mondays at 11:59 p.m. EST. Notably, workers were advised not to disclose classified or sensitive information, and those handling exclusively sensitive material were instructed to respond with "All of my activities are sensitive."
As news of this directive circulated, Elon Musk clarified that the response was mandatory for executive branch personnel. He emphasized that individuals handling classified or sensitive matters should still acknowledge the email but can simply indicate the sensitivity of their work in their response. This directive was reinforced by Musk in response to a tweet suggesting that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had instructed Department of Defense staff to engage with the email.
During a recent cabinet meeting, Musk described the initial email as a "pulse check" rather than a performance review, emphasizing the basic nature of the response required. President Trump, while meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, defended the email initiative and warned that non-compliance could lead to dismissal.
This development highlights the ongoing efforts to streamline government operations and enhance accountability within the federal workforce. The push for transparency and accountability underscores a broader commitment to efficiency and effectiveness in governance, aligning with the overarching goal of optimizing public sector performance.