The Department of Defense (DoD) has issued internal guidance instructing its civilian workforce to ignore a request from Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to submit individual productivity reports. The directive, which was circulated among DoD employees, signals growing tensions between Musk’s oversight initiatives and existing federal agency protocols.
Musk, who has been leading cost-cutting efforts across multiple government departments, had previously requested that all civilian employees provide detailed reports outlining their daily work output, efficiency metrics, and justifications for their roles. His move was aimed at identifying inefficiencies within the defense sector as part of DOGE’s broader restructuring plan.
However, senior Pentagon officials have pushed back, asserting that the request bypassed traditional chains of command and violated established workforce oversight protocols. A memo from the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness emphasized that DoD employees are accountable to their respective leadership, not external oversight bodies, and therefore have no obligation to comply with DOGE’s request.
The response from the DoD is the latest sign of resistance to Musk’s aggressive streamlining efforts, which have already resulted in significant staffing reductions and departmental restructuring in other agencies. Critics argue that DOGE’s approach is disruptive and could jeopardize essential government functions, while supporters claim it is necessary to eliminate waste and improve efficiency.
As tensions between Musk and federal agencies continue, it remains unclear whether the White House will intervene or if DOGE will seek alternative means to enforce its transparency initiatives.