Republican Orders Trump’s DOGE To Have Compassion

Senator John Curtis (R-Utah) recently spoke out in defense of federal workers and called for compassion in the approach taken by tech billionaire Elon Musk. Appearing on CBS’s Face the Nation, Curtis shared his perspective, drawing from his own experience as mayor, where he faced similar challenges of workforce management.

“I recently wrote an op-ed in Deseret News where I reflected on the importance of understanding the human side of policy changes,” Curtis said. “When I look at what’s happening with Elon Musk’s new directive, I can’t help but stress that these are real people. These are families with homes, and they rely on their paychecks. If there’s one thing I’d say to Elon Musk, it’s: please inject a dose of compassion into this process.”

Musk, who is also known for his role as an adviser to former President Donald Trump, made headlines over the weekend with a bold move aimed at increasing accountability within federal agencies. On social media, Musk announced that all federal employees would be required to report their weekly work efforts via email. Those who failed to comply would be considered to have resigned.

“Consistent with President Trump’s direction, we will be asking federal employees to detail what they’ve accomplished each week,” Musk posted on his platform, X. “Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.” While the details of the policy remain sparse, federal employees were sent a message requesting a summary of their weekly tasks, with a firm deadline for response.

While Musk’s initiative has sparked significant debate, Curtis emphasized that effective leadership should always be balanced with empathy. In his opinion piece for Deseret News, Curtis argued that good leaders don’t just focus on results—they also respect the people behind those efforts. “It’s critical to handle layoffs or performance feedback with grace,” Curtis wrote, “something that’s been lacking in some of the media coverage of these recent actions.”

Though Curtis acknowledged that accountability is important, he insisted that it’s possible to approach these issues without being cold or harsh. “I would ask my employees to keep me updated on their progress, but I’d also strive to do so with respect and dignity,” Curtis concluded. “Compassion must be at the core of leadership, especially in tough times.”