Musk's Controversial Workforce Downsizing Tactics

Elon Musk, leading the charge on Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, threatens to fire federal workers unable to prove their productivity over the past week. This highlights ongoing efforts to downsize the federal workforce, albeit with questionable legal authority, causing public anger and operational errors.

Elon Musk, the wealth-driven chief of Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, warned on Saturday about dismissing any federal staff who can't justify their week's productivity. His declaration, posted on social media platform X, aligned with President Trump's earlier demand for aggressive job cuts to restructure federal staff.

According to Musk's post, federal employees will imminently receive an email inquiry for productivity proof. Ignoring this request will be interpreted as resignation. Legal questions surround Musk's authority to fire non-compliant federal workers. The Department of Government Efficiency's frantic downsizing initiatives led to operational blunders, needing urgent rehiring for critical positions.

The initial dismissal phase affected vulnerable employees like newcomers or those with short tenures. This sweeping approach ignited national discontent over potential service disruptions and local economic impacts. Despite Trump's portrayal of Musk as DOGE's de facto leader, officially he holds no authority as confirmed by the White House in a recent legal document.

(With inputs from agencies.)