Federal employees opened their inboxes this week to find a second email titled “What did you do last week? Part II.” It’s the latest move by President Trump and Elon Musk, through their Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to crack down on waste in the federal government. Workers have until Monday at 11:59 p.m. EST to submit five bullet points proving they’re earning their taxpayer-funded paychecks. This time, those in classified roles can opt out by saying, “All of my activities are sensitive,” fixing confusion from the first email a week ago.

The push comes straight from Trump’s promise to drain the swamp, with Musk bringing his cut-to-the-bone business style to the table. Many federal agencies are rolling it out, though some—like the FBI under new Director Kash Patel—are telling staff to ignore it. Federal unions are crying foul, calling it chaotic and unfair, but Republicans argue it’s about time the government faced real accountability. After all, with over 2 million civilian employees, taxpayers deserve to know who’s actually working.

Last week’s email caught many off guard, and a federal judge recently blocked Trump from firing probationary workers over it. Undeterred, the administration shifted gears, letting agency heads take the lead. Musk, who slashed Twitter’s staff and turned it profitable, suspects some federal jobs might even belong to “dead people or fictional individuals.” For conservatives, this is a no-nonsense step toward a leaner government. Trump’s blunt take? If they don’t answer, they risk getting fired. It’s a message that’s resonating with Americans fed up with bureaucracy as usual.