In a move reminiscent of Elon Musk’s controversial Twitter takeover, over 2.3 million federal workers have been given an ultimatum: resign and receive severance through September or commit to a new “performance culture” under the Trump administration, regarding Axious.

The directive came via email on Tuesday from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the executive branch’s human resources department, now stacked with Musk allies and tech industry veterans, according to reports from The New York Times and Axios. The email’s tone and approach echo Musk’s 2022 ultimatum to Twitter employees, which led to a mass exodus and legal disputes over unpaid severance.

Why This Matters

If Musk’s “slash first, ask questions later” management philosophy is any indication, Washington could be in for a period of extreme workforce disruption. Cutting federal jobs has long been part of Trump’s second-term agenda, and Musk, now playing a key role in government decision-making, appears to see the OPM as a critical vehicle for reducing the federal workforce.

Key Details of the Ultimatum:

  • Workers have nine days to decide whether to resign with a payout through September or stay and risk termination in upcoming restructuring efforts.
  • The email warned employees that the new administration will prioritize performance and efficiency, leaving positions vulnerable to future cuts.
  • Musk personally visited the OPM last Friday, signaling his direct involvement in workforce reduction strategies.

Backlash and Legal Concerns

The move has already triggered backlash from unions and Democratic lawmakers, with some urging workers not to accept the buyout.

  • Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) warned federal employees, saying: “If you accept that offer and resign, he’ll stiff you,” referencing Trump’s long history of unpaid severance battles.
  • Legal experts point out that the federal workforce operates under strict hiring and firing laws, making mass layoffs far more complex than Musk’s actions at Twitter.
  • Union leaders and government officials fear a “brain drain” effect, similar to what happened at Twitter when key engineers and executives left, leading to tech glitches and service issues.

Lessons from Musk’s Twitter Takeover

The parallels between Musk’s Twitter overhaul and his influence on the Trump administration’s government downsizing plan are striking:

  • Twitter/X continued to function after mass layoffs, but user experience suffered, and advertisers fled.
  • Musk had to rehire some employees after underestimating their importance.
  • Federal agencies are far more complex than a social media company, making sudden workforce reductions a greater risk to government operations.

What’s Next?

With only nine days before the deadline, the future of the federal workforce remains uncertain. While Trump and Musk’s allies frame this as a long-overdue effort to streamline government operations, critics warn of severe disruptions to essential services, legal battles over forced resignations, and potential long-term damage to federal agencies.

One thing is clear: Washington, D.C. is in for a shakeup—one that could redefine how the federal government operates for years to come.