Pentagon formally ends DOGE-inspired ‘What You Did Last Week’ exercise
Share this @internewscast.com

The Pentagon has officially canceled a contentious program led by Elon Musk, which mandated Department of Defense staff to send weekly updates about their work activities. This decision comes after Musk’s diminishing involvement in the Trump administration.

“On May 23, 2025, the interim Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Mr. Jules W. Hurst III, notified the DoD civilian workforce through email that the Department would terminate the weekly ‘What You Did Last Week’ program on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, and requested employees to include one specific suggestion for boosting efficiency or eliminating waste in their last submission,” stated Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.

He noted that the Department of Defense “remains committed to driving meaningful change in support of the mission” to cut government waste. 

Civilian employees within the DoD had been regularly reporting their top five weekly achievements since late February, following instructions from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Office of Personnel Management. 

“This initiative provided leaders and supervisors with additional insights into their employees’ contributions, fostered accountability, and helped to identify opportunities for greater efficiency and effectiveness throughout the Department,” Parnell said of the experiment. 

Pentagon officials initially balked at the idea of having DoD employees list their accomplishments over email, instructing them not to respond to the Feb. 22 “What did you do last week?” email, over apparent concerns that classified information would be shared. 

The Department of Health and Human Services, FBI, Office of the Director of National Intelligence and National Security Agency also initially told workers to hold off on any responses. 

Hegseth and other federal agency heads reversed course days later and instructed civilian personnel to respond to the OPM missive but exclude classified or sensitive information.

Musk had threatened that “failure to respond” to the Feb. 22 email — which was sent to federal workers across government — “will be taken as a resignation.”

When a subsequent round of emails went out soliciting responses, Musk claimed that “failure to respond a second time will result in termination.”

Musk, who made similar demands during his takeover of Twitter — which he renamed X — insisted that the email demand was simply “a very basic pulse check.”

The SpaceX and Tesla founder, and unofficial head of the Department of Government Efficiency, departed the White House last month, with his 130-day special government employee status expected to conclude at the end of May. 

Musk, 53, told reporters last week that since President Trump took office, he has spent “seven days a week, or close to seven days a week” working on DOGE initiatives, but plans to cut that down closer to one day a week. 

“I’m willing to contribute one to two days a week, coming to DC every other week for one to three days — indefinitely, as long as the president wants me to do that,” Musk said of his future role as an informal DOGE adviser. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Convicted felon federally charged after threatening Atlanta airport while armed with AR-15 rifle

Armed Felon Faces Federal Charges After Threatening Atlanta Airport with AR-15: A Chilling Security Breach

A Georgia resident is facing federal charges after allegedly threatening to “shoot…
Mickey Mouse surprises L.A. kids and teaches them the "Hot Dog!" dance from the 'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+'

Mickey Mouse Delights L.A. Kids with a Surprise “Hot Dog!” Dance Lesson

LOS ANGELES — Amid joyful cheers and energetic music, Mickey Mouse made…
Trump hosts Senate Republicans at renovated White House as the shutdown drags into fourth week

Trump Welcomes Senate Republicans to Newly Renovated White House Amidst Ongoing Government Shutdown

Preschool programs across the country are urgently seeking federal funding, while the…
Florida mother accused of killing her son, sheriff says

Florida Mother Charged in Tragic Death of Her Son, Authorities Report

LAND O’LAKES, Fla. (WFLA) — In a tragic turn of events, the…
Attempted murder suspect with four prior cases walks free on $9.5K bond after brutal trail attack

Suspect in Attempted Murder, with Four Prior Charges, Released on $9.5K Bond Following Violent Trail Assault

Florida trail attack suspect escorted to sheriff’s cruiser Jacoby Tillman, a 23-year-old…
American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky dead at 29

Tragic Passing: Chess Prodigy Daniel Naroditsky Dies at 29

Daniel Naroditsky, a revered figure in the chess world who transformed himself…
Yeison Diaz-Gomez charged in Evanston attempted sexual assault, Chicago police arrest him related to crimes on Lunt Avenue

Evanston Attempted Assault Suspect Yeison Diaz-Gomez Arrested by Chicago Police for Lunt Avenue Crimes

CHICAGO (WLS) — A suspect has been apprehended in connection with a…
Violent symbolism, threats steal show at nationwide 'No Kings' protests

Dramatic Imagery and Threats Dominate Headlines at Nationwide ‘No Kings’ Protests

On Saturday, millions across the nation participated in peaceful demonstrations during the…
Man who planned to shoot up Atlanta's airport is arrested in a terminal following a tip, police say

Swift Police Action Thwarts Potential Atlanta Airport Shooting After Crucial Tip-Off

ATLANTA — A man was apprehended at Atlanta’s bustling airport on Monday…
Suburban High School District 214 gauging public interest in renovations that could cost up to $850M, result in property tax hike

Local High School District 214 Considers Major Renovation Plans Potentially Impacting Property Taxes

A school district in the northwest suburbs is currently seeking public input…
Texas couple arrested after body of special needs son, 26, discovered buried in backyard

Texas Couple Detained Following Discovery of Their 26-Year-Old Special Needs Son’s Burial in Backyard

A couple from Texas has been taken into custody following the discovery…
FWC investigating after finding crocodile with spear in the back of its head

Florida Wildlife Commission Probes Disturbing Crocodile Spearing Incident in State’s Waters

Efforts by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers and experts…