The Trump Administration’s New Weekly Ritual: Federal Employees’ Weekly Achievement Reports
In a move that has sparked both confusion and concern, the Trump administration has introduced a new weekly ritual for federal employees: submitting a list of their achievements from the previous week. This directive, sent via email by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), titled "What did you do last week? Part II," instructs over two million federal workers to reply with approximately five bullet points detailing their accomplishments by Monday at midnight. While seemingly straightforward, this mandate has unleashed a wave of uncertainty and resistance across various government agencies.
The initial email, paired with a stern warning from Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, suggested that failure to comply could be construed as resignation. This threat led to widespread confusion, with department leaders providing conflicting advice—some urging compliance while others instructed employees to disregard the directive. The follow-up emails obtained by HuffPost reveal a shift, with some agency leaders aligning with Musk’s stance, perhaps under pressure, while others continue to defy the directive.
One federal employee expressed frustration, suggesting that the exercise assumes a disconnect between supervisors and their teams, implying a lack of awareness of employees’ work. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), initially advising employees to pause their responses, later implemented a structured process for submitting weekly summaries, aligning with OPM’s accountability efforts. This reversal highlights the chaotic communication within the administration.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection commissioner issued a two-page memo addressing 17 questions about the process, indicating the complexity and confusion among employees. The Department of Energy, led by Secretary Chris Wright, shifted its stance, initially opposing the directive but later requiring compliance. These changes underscore the inconsistent and evolving nature of the policy.
Despite some agencies like DHS and the Department of Energy complying, others such as the State Department and NASA have resisted, advising their employees to ignore the directive. This resistance reflects broader pushback against the administration’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce, which have included agency shutdowns, firings, and legally questionable resignation proposals.
The administration’s approach has been marked by chaos and contradiction, with OPM initially making the reporting voluntary, only for President Trump to later imply that noncompliance could lead to punishment. This has left federal employees in a precarious position, uncertain of their obligations and facing a hostile work environment. The administration’s focus on shrinking the workforce through such tactics has created significant stress and anxiety among federal workers, emphasizing the need for clearer and more supportive communication.
