New FBI chief tells his staff to ignore Doge request for details of their job

FBI director Kash Patel has pushed back against a Trump administration move to demand federal employees demonstrate what they achieve in their roles, after government-slashing tech billionaire Elon Musk threatened to fire them en masse.

- Edward Helmore

Hundreds of thousands of federal workers had been given little more than 48 hours to explain what they achieved to the office of personnel management (OPM), sparking widespread confusion, including at the US's top law enforcement agency.

But the FBI director, who was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday, undercut the request. According to ABC News, the agency was seeking guidance from the US justice department on next steps.

"FBI personnel may have received an email from OPM requesting information," Patel's message read. "The FBI, through the Office of the Director, is in charge of all of our review processes, and will conduct reviews in accordance with FBI procedures. When and if further information is required, we will coordinate the responses. For now, please pause any responses."

Musk, who has been given the task of cutting government costs during Donald Trump's second presidency, described the extraordinary request on his social media network on Saturday.