Los Angeles, California – Tesla CEO Elon Musk is causing a stir within the US government as he demands federal workers to provide documentation of their work or face termination. This ultimatum has drawn criticism from a Pentagon official who labeled it as “the silliest thing I’ve seen in 40 years.”

Musk, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump to streamline the federal bureaucracy under the “department of government efficiency,” took to his social media platform to defend his decision. He called out the Department of Defense official who opposed the scheme, stating that anyone with such an attitude should seek alternative employment.

The backlash from senior federal figures, who spoke anonymously to the press, has only fueled the controversy. Many have expressed concerns over Musk’s approach, citing that it disrupts the chain of command within federal agencies. The Department of Defense official quoted by CNN emphasized that responding to Musk’s directive is not aligned with their standard protocols.

In response to Musk’s order, which was communicated via email from the office of personnel management, chaos ensued across various government agencies. While some departments instructed employees to comply, others advised waiting for further instructions or disregarding Musk’s demands altogether.

Notably, Trump’s appointed leaders in federal agencies had differing reactions to Musk’s ultimatum. The FBI director urged agents to hold off on any responses, while homeland security department employees were informed that no immediate action was required. Despite the tensions, all Department of Defense personnel were instructed to refrain from responding to the OPM directive.

The Trump administration has already terminated around 20,000 federal workers, primarily those without job protections who were on probation. Additionally, over 75,000 employees have reportedly accepted buyouts as part of the ongoing restructuring efforts.

Speculation is rife that Trump’s actions could lead to one of the largest job cutting exercises in US history, potentially impacting the American economy significantly. Musk’s push for accountability among federal workers continues to spark debate and uncertainty within the government.