A power struggle between former President Donald Trump's appointees unfolds as top officials resist Elon Musk's controversial email directive.
According to Daily Mail, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and FBI Director Kash Patel have instructed their employees to disregard Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) email demanding federal workers list five accomplishments from the previous week.
The defiance comes after Musk, acting on Trump's instructions to be "more aggressive" with cost-cutting measures, sent an email to all federal employees requesting them to detail their weekly achievements. Those who fail to respond risk termination, according to Musk's message on his X platform. The directive has sparked concerns about labor laws and union protections, leading to multiple lawsuits against the administration.
Several high-ranking officials appointed by Trump have joined the opposition to Musk's directive. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Department of Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem have all instructed their staff to ignore the email request.
Gabbard specifically cited security concerns in her response to DOGE's demand. She explained that intelligence community employees should not respond due to the classified nature of their work. The growing resistance suggests potential rifts within the MAGA administration.
Patel, who recently assumed leadership of the FBI, made his position clear through an internal communication to agents. FBI procedures would govern any review processes, he stated, effectively challenging Musk's authority to demand such information.
Under Musk's leadership, DOGE reports cutting $55 billion from the federal budget through various efficiency measures. These include detecting fraud, canceling contracts and leases, and selling assets. The department claims significant savings in multiple agencies, including USAID, the Department of Education, and the Department of Agriculture.
The cost-cutting initiatives have faced legal challenges. When Trump and Musk attempted to place 2,200 USAID workers on paid leave, unions successfully obtained a temporary restraining order, though it was later reversed by Judge Carl J. Nichols.
DOGE recently announced discovering $1.9 billion in misplaced funds at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, attributing the oversight to the Biden administration's "broken process." The department stated these funds would be redirected to the Treasury.
The clash between Trump appointees and Musk's efficiency drive has created uncertainty for federal employees. Union representatives have initiated multiple lawsuits challenging DOGE's actions, arguing that termination threats violate labor protections.
Discussion has emerged about potentially sharing cost savings with taxpayers. James Fishback proposed a "DOGE dividend" that would provide $5,000 stimulus checks to American households, an idea Musk said he would discuss with Trump.
The effectiveness and legality of DOGE's approach remain contested. While some praise the cost-cutting measures, others worry about the impact on essential government functions and worker protections.
The conflict between Trump officials and Elon Musk centers on an email demanding federal workers report their weekly accomplishments or face termination. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and FBI Director Kash Patel lead the resistance, citing security concerns and established procedures. The dispute highlights tensions within the administration as DOGE claims $55 billion in budget savings while facing legal challenges from unions and questions about its methods' legality.
