Federal workers get another "what did you do" email, without Musk threat

Catch up quick: NPR and Government Executive reported the new emails went out late Friday night, asking workers to send five bullet points documenting their activities by 11:59 p.m. ET Monday night.

• The emails do not mention any consequences for failing to respond.
• "The President has made it clear that this is mandatory for the executive branch," Musk posted on X Saturday morning.

Flashback: A week ago, federal workers got a similar email, with a warning from Musk posted to X that failing to respond would be considered a resignation.

• The White House later clarified that responses were actually entirely voluntary, and many federal agencies told their employees not to answer.
• About half the federal workforce ultimately responded. Unions representing large chunks of that workforce sued, alleging the emails were illegal and that the Office of Personnel Management didn't have the authority to fire anyone who didn't answer.

• President Trump later said those who didn't answer were "on the bubble."
• Musk, for his part, described the email as a test to see if people were actually alive and working.

What we're watching: How agencies actually respond this time, and whether they order their employees to comply or not.

• The emails may have a different urgency now, given White House directives to agencies this week to prepare large-scale layoffs by March 13.