Featured Image Credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / Contributor / Getty
There are continued concerns about the potential power Elon Musk wields as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, and after being tasked with slashing some $2 trillion from government spending, the world's richest man is already making cuts with a (literal) chainsaw).
President Donald Trump has suggested that the DOGE's powers sit below that of the cabinet, although that hasn't stopped a lot of anger being directed Elon Musk's way. Even though the POTUS told the tech billionaire to be more aggressive, he's also reiterated that he'll use a 'scalpel' rather than a 'hatchet' to make it happen.
As part of the cuts, mass firings, and pushing the 'deferred resignation' option, Musk sent out a no-nonsense email demanding that federal workers justify their jobs.
Musk told staff to send an email with five bullet points explaining things they'd achieved that week, and although the message was supposed to be clear, confusion ensued. The FBI told staff to ignore it, senators asked Musk himself to reveal what he'd been up to, and some claimed the whole thing was 'illegal'.
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Senior cabinet members including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also advised staff to disregard the '5 Things' email.
Despite only giving workers 48 hours to respond, Musk then delivered an extended ultimatum while suggesting they could be shown the door.
According to ABC, many were shocked to get a response from Musk's office, especially as it wasn't the one they were expecting. The outlet reports how numerous employees have been getting bounce-back emails, hinting that the Office of Personnel Management's inbox is full.
Even though Musk loves to wear his 'Tech Support' tee, tech issues are seemingly affecting the likes of the IRS, Social Security Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services.
The bounce-back message reads: "The recipient's mailbox is full and can't accept messages now. Please try resending your message later or contact the recipient directly."
ABC didn't hear back from representatives from the OPM or DOGE, although it points out how staff at the Department of Health and Human Services have been sent an internal email that states: "We are aware that emails ... are being returned as undeliverable. Please send your weekly accomplishments to [another address] and cc your supervisor."
SCOOP: Elon's five bullet points program for DOGE has been a bust because they didn't set up an email system that could handle the incoming. Four government employees from different agencies told us they got bounce backs when they sent their points in. pic.twitter.com/TcYUSRv47Z
— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) March 26, 2025
One federal employee claims to set a reminder every Monday and simply send the same accomplishments without ever being reprimanded. Another said that staff mock DOGE in their email and added: "I don't think anyone is reading these."
In an email seen by The Bulwark, Securities and Exchange COO Ken Johnson apparently states that those who receive a bounce-back email should "save your email to OPM for your records, but otherwise there is nothing more you need to do today."
It sounds like things are in free fall, with the outlet saying that Musk's threat of termination has been met with some employees and agencies abandoning the mandate altogether without any ramifications.
Still, we wouldn't mock the situation too much because the ever-vigilant Mr. Musk is sure to take note before long.
