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More than 20 civil service employees announced they are resigning from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).Those workers said in a joint letter obtained by the AP that they are resigning from DOGE, refusing to use their expertise to "dismantle critical public services."Elon Musk called it fake news, saying they were Democrats who would have been fired.This comes as DOGE's Elon Musk doubles down on threats to fire government workers who do not report their weekly accomplishments, part of the Trump administration's push to reduce the federal workforce.The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said it's up to the agency heads to determine whether employees should respond to the email, adding that more than 1 million workers have participated so far. The White House aimed to clear up confusion Tuesday over conflicting messages for federal workers and whether they have to answer the question, What did you do last week? or risk losing their jobs."Well, it's somewhat voluntary, but it's also if you don't answer, I guess you get fired," said President Donald Trump.A reporter in the room with the president responded, "I'm still lost on that."Trump replied, "What it really is, do people exist? We have this massive government with millions of people, and nobody knows who's working for the government and who's not.Elon Musk, who oversees the Department of Government Efficiency, renewed an ultimatum to workers late Monday: respond to an email detailing your recent accomplishments or risk 'termination.'This directive came after the Office of Personnel Management told agencies it was voluntary, and some agencies, like the FBI, advised employees not to respond due to privacy or safety concerns."We advise federal workers, unless your agency has dictated you not to, to respond to this email," said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.Some federal workers across the country, including in Oklahoma, say they are worried about job security."It's scary. A lot of us don't know if we're going to be in the next wave of layoffs," said a federal employee who wished to remain anonymous.In Washington, some fired federal workers took to Capitol Hill to protest."It's been terrible. I've cried every day. I go through waves of crying, anger, frustration," said Elizabeth Gliddeen, a fired U.S. Agency for International Development worker.
More than 20 civil service employees announced they are resigning from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Those workers said in a joint letter obtained by the AP that they are resigning from DOGE, refusing to use their expertise to "dismantle critical public services."
Elon Musk called it fake news, saying they were Democrats who would have been fired.
This comes as DOGE's Elon Musk doubles down on threats to fire government workers who do not report their weekly accomplishments, part of the Trump administration's push to reduce the federal workforce.
The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said it's up to the agency heads to determine whether employees should respond to the email, adding that more than 1 million workers have participated so far.
The White House aimed to clear up confusion Tuesday over conflicting messages for federal workers and whether they have to answer the question, What did you do last week? or risk losing their jobs.
"Well, it's somewhat voluntary, but it's also if you don't answer, I guess you get fired," said President Donald Trump.
A reporter in the room with the president responded, "I'm still lost on that."
Trump replied, "What it really is, do people exist? We have this massive government with millions of people, and nobody knows who's working for the government and who's not.
Elon Musk, who oversees the Department of Government Efficiency, renewed an ultimatum to workers late Monday: respond to an email detailing your recent accomplishments or risk 'termination.'
This directive came after the Office of Personnel Management told agencies it was voluntary, and some agencies, like the FBI, advised employees not to respond due to privacy or safety concerns.
"We advise federal workers, unless your agency has dictated you not to, to respond to this email," said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Some federal workers across the country, including in Oklahoma, say they are worried about job security.
"It's scary. A lot of us don't know if we're going to be in the next wave of layoffs," said a federal employee who wished to remain anonymous.
In Washington, some fired federal workers took to Capitol Hill to protest.
"It's been terrible. I've cried every day. I go through waves of crying, anger, frustration," said Elizabeth Gliddeen, a fired U.S. Agency for International Development worker.
English (US)