Kash Patel and officials defy Elon Musk’s federal firing order

U.S. intelligence chief Kash Patel and other top government officials are pushing back against Elon Musk’s directive requiring federal employees to submit weekly work reports or face termination.

Musk, appointed by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), had set a Monday deadline for over 2.5 million federal employees to submit five-point work summaries, warning that non-compliance would result in dismissal.

However, Patel, the newly appointed head of the FBI, and National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard have instructed their agencies to ignore the directive, arguing that such disclosures could compromise national security operations. “The FBI will continue to conduct internal reviews in accordance with established procedures,” Patel stated in a memo.

Gabbard echoed similar concerns, stating that intelligence agencies handle “inherently sensitive and classified” work that cannot be summarized in bullet points for external review.

The Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and State have also advised their personnel to disregard Musk’s order, setting the stage for a potential showdown over the billionaire’s authority in government affairs.

Musk, who has spearheaded sweeping cost-cutting measures, previously oversaw mass layoffs at USAID and other federal agencies. His latest initiative has drawn sharp criticism from officials, who argue that DOGE, despite its name, lacks constitutional authority over government operations.

President Trump has yet to directly address the defiance from Patel and Gabbard but voiced support for Musk on Truth Social, stating, “Elon is doing a great job. I’d like to see him get even more aggressive. We have a country to save!”

While some government officials, such as Washington’s acting federal prosecutor Ed Martin, have praised Musk’s efficiency efforts, others warn of serious national security risks. The National Nuclear Safety Agency recently had to reinstate hundreds of laid-off employees due to concerns over nuclear arsenal management.

As legal challenges mount, federal employee unions have threatened lawsuits, and courts are expected to weigh in on the constitutionality of Musk’s actions. For now, government agencies remain divided on whether to comply with the tech mogul’s demands or stand their ground.