Health Staffers Told To Ignore Musk’s Missives

The National Institutes of Health told employees Thursday they are no longer required to respond to Elon Musk’s weekly emails probing their productivity, according to a message obtained by POLITICO.

It's a possible sign that the agency's recently confirmed director, Jay Bhattacharya, is willing to break with Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

“Please disregard any future reminders or instructions on this directive from OPM or the Department of Health and Human Services,” said the message, referencing the White House’s personnel office. “NIH manages its own performance review processes and will notify employees directly if any information related to work duties or performance is needed.”

The directive is the latest to break from DOGE’s dictates. Earlier this week, the Social Security Administration reined in a Department of Government Efficiency initiative to eliminate phone service and direct recipients of retirement, Medicare or disability benefits to in-person or online sites, which the Musk-led DOGE argued would combat fraud.

In the past month, several agencies including the FBI and Department of Justice have told employees not to respond to DOGE’s requests because of concerns about disclosing classified information through unsecure channels.

In February, Musk tasked federal workers with sending weekly emails with five bullet points summarizing their work. Musk and President Donald Trump have threatened workers who do not respond with termination.

But Musk’s cost-cutting campaign has become a political flashpoint for the Trump administration. Recent polls show Musk’s approval ratings have dipped. And thousands in town halls across the country have challenged Republican lawmakers about DOGE-led cuts to the federal workforce.

Musk is set to leave on May 30 when his special appointment to the administration expires, if Trump doesn’t extend him.

The White House and DOGE adviser Katie Miller did not immediately respond to a request for comment.