WASHINGTON, DC, USA – Federal employees working in climate-focused government roles have expressed fears for their safety and job security after being personally targeted by tech mogul Elon Musk.
Using his platform on X (formerly Twitter), Musk highlighted four women in obscure government roles, leading to a surge of online harassment and threats against them.
The incident comes as President-elect Donald Trump announced Musk and Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy would lead efforts to downsize the federal government.
Musk’s posts, which included names and job titles, have put the spotlight on otherwise unknown civil servants, raising concerns about the implications of personal attacks against public employees.
Musk’s Public Criticism Sparks Harassment
Last week, Musk reposted content from an anonymous account that criticised climate-related roles in government, including a “Director of Climate Diversification” and “Chief Climate Officer.”
Musk’s commentary, which mocked such positions as “fake jobs,” triggered millions of views and a flood of negative comments.
One of the individuals Musk highlighted has since deleted her social media accounts.
Others named work in positions that address environmental justice and clean energy deployment across federal agencies.
Impact on Federal Workers
Union leaders and former federal employees warn that Musk’s actions are having a chilling effect.
Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), accused Musk of creating an atmosphere of fear.
“These tactics are aimed at sowing terror and fear among federal employees,” he said.
Mary “Missy” Cummings, a former senior advisor at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), recalled similar experiences when Musk targeted her in 2021 over her critiques of Tesla’s driver-assist programmes.
The attacks escalated into death threats, forcing her to relocate temporarily.
“He’s intimidating people into quitting so he doesn’t have to fire them,” Cummings said.
“His plan, to some extent, is working.”
Growing Concerns of Cyber Harassment
Experts in online abuse warn that targeting individuals, even when using publicly available information, sets a dangerous precedent.
Several academics declined to comment on Musk’s actions for fear of becoming his next targets.
“What has happened has an incredible and horrific chilling effect,” said one cyber harassment researcher, speaking anonymously.
Musk and Ramaswamy Defend Actions
Musk and his supporters argue that government transparency is necessary.
The anonymous account that initially posted about the climate-related roles stated, “We deserve to know who is running our government & what they do.”
Ramaswamy, while distancing himself from personal targeting, emphasised that the issue lies with bureaucracy, not individuals.
“Most federal employees… deserve to be treated with respect, but the real problem is the bureaucracy,” he said.
Broader Implications
The controversy highlights tensions between government reform efforts and the ethical treatment of public employees.
While Musk’s critiques align with calls for smaller government, the personal nature of the attacks raises questions about the role of influential figures in shaping public discourse.
Cummings urged those affected to speak out, saying, “Somebody has got to speak out. I’m just not going to let him win on this point.”
As federal employees brace for potential job cuts in the Trump administration, fears of being thrust into the spotlight by Musk add another layer of anxiety to an already uncertain future.
