The Power Struggle Begins: FBI Director Kash Patel Instructs Staff Not to Respond to Elon Musk’s “Productivity” Emails

FBI Director Kash Patel ordered bureau staff Saturday to ignore an email from the Office of Personnel Management—an initiative backed by Elon Musk—demanding federal workers justify their jobs or resign. This directive comes as Patel is expected to take the helm of a second federal agency.

The email, sent shortly after Musk’s announcement on Twitter, required employees to outline their weekly contributions.

Patel, sworn in Friday, swiftly pushed back.

“FBI personnel may have received an email from OPM requesting information,” he stated. “The FBI, through the Office of the Director, is in charge of all of our review processes… For now, please pause any response.”

Musk, an unpaid “special government employee,” has spearheaded a federal overhaul, cutting thousands of jobs and shutting down agencies without congressional approval. He insists that federal employees who fail to respond will be considered resigned. However, OPM’s email did not include that stipulation.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump is set to appoint Patel, 44, as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This comes after Attorney General Pam Bondi fired ATF Chief Counsel Pamela Hicks, citing alleged bias against gun owners.

Patel’s swift rise follows the resignation of former FBI Director Christopher Wray, who stepped down before Trump’s inauguration. The Senate narrowly confirmed Patel, with only two Republicans crossing party lines. Trump has tasked him with reforming the FBI and eliminating alleged partisan bias within the agency.