Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Mr. Sparkle

(3,149 posts)
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 09:42 AM Nov 27

Elon Musk publicized the names of government employees he wants to cut. It's terrifying federal workers

Source: CNN

When President-elect Donald Trump said Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy would recommend major cuts to the federal government in his administration, many public employees knew that their jobs could be on the line. Now they have a new fear: becoming the personal targets of the world’s richest man – and his legions of followers. Last week, in the midst of the flurry of his daily missives, Musk reposted two X posts that revealed the names and titles of people holding four relatively obscure climate-related government positions. Each post has been viewed tens of millions of times, and the individuals named have been subjected to a barrage of negative attention. At least one of the four women named has deleted her social media accounts.

Although the information he posted on those government positions is available through public online databases, these posts target otherwise unknown government employees in roles that do not deal directly with the public. Several current federal employees told CNN they’re afraid their lives will be forever changed – including physically threatened – as Musk makes behind-the-scenes bureaucrats into personal targets. Others told CNN that the threat of being in Musk’s crosshairs might even drive them from their jobs entirely – achieving Musk’s smaller government goals without so much as a proper review. “These tactics are aimed at sowing terror and fear at federal employees,” said Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents more than 800,000 of the 2.3 million civilian federal employees. “It’s intended to make them fearful that they will become afraid to speak up.” This isn’t new behavior for Musk, who has often singled out individuals who he claims have made mistakes or stand in his way. One former federal employee, previously targeted by Musk, said she experienced something very similar.

“It’s his way of intimidating people to either quit or also send a signal to all the other agencies that ‘you’re next’,” said Mary “Missy” Cummings, an engineering and computer science professor at George Mason University, who drew Musk’s ire because of her criticisms of Tesla when she was at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Last week Musk reposted an account with the handle Fentasyl and the name “Datahazard,” which describes itself as “Unincorporated Think Tank ~~ Focus: Govt Efficiency, Civil Rights, Victim Advocacy.” One of the posts reads: “I don’t think the US taxpayers should pay for the employment of a ’Director of Climate Diversification (she/her)’ at the US International Development Finance Corporation,” with a partial screengrab of an employee and her location.

Musk, who called himself “super pro climate” in an X post last year, reposted and commented: “So many fake jobs.” The post has received more than 33 million views and a storm of negative comments. Some called the role a “fraud job” and others demanded Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency cut jobs like it. One user commented: “Gravy train is over.” It appears the woman Musk targeted has since gone dark on social media, shutting down her accounts. The agency, the US International Development Finance Corporation, says it supports investment in climate mitigation, resilience and adaptation in low-income countries experiencing the most devastating effects of climate change. A DFC official said the agency does not comment on individual personnel positions or matters.

Read more: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/27/business/elon-musk-government-employees-targets/index.html#openweb-convo

64 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Elon Musk publicized the names of government employees he wants to cut. It's terrifying federal workers (Original Post) Mr. Sparkle Nov 27 OP
Legal, organized very dangerous gov't harassment and stalking of federal workers. Irish_Dem Nov 27 #1
I think it might be illegal. Muskox does not have immunity. Might have to wait four years for prosecution tho Bernardo de La Paz Nov 27 #7
Yes there are laws prohibiting the harassment of federal workers. Irish_Dem Nov 27 #21
Starting to look Traildogbob Nov 27 #35
Federal workers are on numerous phone books jimfields33 Nov 27 #52
Imagine if we had... 2naSalit Nov 27 #23
Yes stalking and harassing federal workers is against the law. Irish_Dem Nov 27 #24
Send this punk packing Joinfortmill Nov 27 #2
Hopefully we have an Attorney General more competent than Merrick Garland by then. groundloop Nov 27 #13
Remind me again what post Eloony holds in the administration? Autumn Nov 27 #3
Dude's a billionaire asshole. But, I repeat myself. n/t SpankMe Nov 27 #4
Why does he have Faux pas Nov 27 #5
Second paragraph, public database. . . . .nt Bernardo de La Paz Nov 27 #8
Thank you Faux pas Nov 27 #12
call me a cnyic, but IMHO it is more likely he or trumpy paid someone to compile that list-- riversedge Nov 27 #31
Heritage Foundation 101. rubbersole Nov 27 #45
What a disaster Mike 03 Nov 27 #6
Sounds like he goes after women primarily. Biophilic Nov 27 #9
He wants women to stay home and have babies. Irish_Dem Nov 27 #22
.... bdamomma Nov 27 #30
LOL DENVERPOPS Nov 27 #36
Jesus H Fucking Christ Biophilic Nov 27 #43
Some of his children hate him. Irish_Dem Nov 27 #54
A modern version of Genghis Khan Tumbulu Nov 27 #55
Yes. I think he wants to populate Mars too. Irish_Dem Nov 27 #56
I hope this backfires in his face big time Owens Nov 27 #10
His Family liberalgunwilltravel Nov 27 #18
From what little I've read musk doesn't particularly care about his "families". Biophilic Nov 27 #44
Elonia is a young t-rump. Everything he touches dies. PortTack Nov 27 #11
They should do a class action suit against the POS. Personal HR are supposed JohnSJ Nov 27 #14
Elmo seems to be getting drunk on his new perceived power groundloop Nov 27 #15
Illegal immigrant does what? travelingthrulife Nov 27 #16
SO AGREE! Rebl2 Nov 27 #40
It's getting close to the time liberalgunwilltravel Nov 27 #17
No enforceable laws available to smack that smuck? NotHardly Nov 27 #19
Musk needs a few multimillion dollar defamation lawsuits mn9driver Nov 27 #20
I hope there are plans in the works to do just that. valleyrogue Nov 27 #32
@realDonaldTrump is prioritizing CRUELTY!! riversedge Nov 27 #25
Democrats best remember this in 4 years, what goes around comes around. republianmushroom Nov 27 #26
I certainly hope the people in swing states are watching. Think. Again. Nov 27 #34
Elon needs a bit of justice. byronius Nov 27 #27
Good thing the karma fairy doesn't wield an assault weapon... rubbersole Nov 27 #46
Musk bdamomma Nov 27 #28
I'm sure garland will get right on it. onecaliberal Nov 27 #50
Garland bdamomma Nov 27 #58
I should have used the sarcasm tag. onecaliberal Nov 27 #59
I got bdamomma Nov 27 #60
He is a regular citizen. Laws should still apply. kerouac2 Nov 27 #29
Muskrat is drawing an enormous bullseye on his own forehead by threatening soooo many people. NoMoreRepugs Nov 27 #33
He'll have a falling out with tsf.... rubbersole Nov 27 #49
K&R Solly Mack Nov 27 #37
Burning America to the Ground after rigging* Botany Nov 27 #38
Makes sense. Who in their right fucking mind would have voted for this shit? hadEnuf Nov 27 #48
And why is the price of eggs higher? Inflation because of President Biden? Botany Nov 27 #57
No, you never will hear any of that on the MSM either. hadEnuf Nov 27 #61
Liberal media Botany Nov 28 #62
The lawyers billionaires buy run circles around the government. live love laugh Nov 27 #39
It sounds like a lot of people will want revenge tonekat Nov 27 #41
What goes around comes around bronxiteforever Nov 27 #42
What an evil little man. hadEnuf Nov 27 #47
Go back to Capetown you Cruel Creep! electric_blue68 Nov 27 #51
F*cking asshole. mzmolly Nov 27 #53
Yeah...total POS but I'll try and get the info somewhere else. I refuse to click on any CNN link........ Bengus81 Nov 28 #63
I doubt all Fed. employees are Dems & Libs. and voted as such. I bet there will be many Hotler Nov 29 #64

Irish_Dem

(59,689 posts)
1. Legal, organized very dangerous gov't harassment and stalking of federal workers.
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 09:50 AM
Nov 27

To force them to quit their jobs and/or to force silence.

This is how Russia, China, NK operate.

Bernardo de La Paz

(51,252 posts)
7. I think it might be illegal. Muskox does not have immunity. Might have to wait four years for prosecution tho
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 10:10 AM
Nov 27

The names are in a public database, but highlighting them by name and not position (doxing in a way) as targets of downsizing is some kind of personal attack. If any are hounded publicly or assaulted or battered, they should sue for big bucks.

If it is a civil suit, they don't have to wait for a non-dictator to repair the DoJ.

Irish_Dem

(59,689 posts)
21. Yes there are laws prohibiting the harassment of federal workers.
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 11:02 AM
Nov 27

If only we had a department which pursued these kind of crimes.

jimfields33

(19,314 posts)
52. Federal workers are on numerous phone books
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 12:52 PM
Nov 27

within a website’s point of contact. However, harassment is not allowed.

2naSalit

(93,437 posts)
23. Imagine if we had...
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 11:08 AM
Nov 27

An actual functioning AG!

JFC, glad I've been retired for a while now.

Irish_Dem

(59,689 posts)
24. Yes stalking and harassing federal workers is against the law.
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 11:09 AM
Nov 27

If only we had a functioning FBI and DOJ.

Joinfortmill

(16,621 posts)
2. Send this punk packing
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 09:55 AM
Nov 27

I know, I know. We can't, not yet, anyway. But, he'll cross the line. These types always do, and when 'Rapist One' is gone, he'll be indicted for sonething he did during the next four years.

Autumn

(46,660 posts)
3. Remind me again what post Eloony holds in the administration?
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 09:57 AM
Nov 27

I thought he was just trumps ball holder when the First Nudes hands cramp up holding the tweezers.

riversedge

(73,404 posts)
31. call me a cnyic, but IMHO it is more likely he or trumpy paid someone to compile that list--
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 11:28 AM
Nov 27

it takes a long time--and checking it twice--maybe!!.

These employees have good reason to be fearful of their jobs-future.

Irish_Dem

(59,689 posts)
22. He wants women to stay home and have babies.
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 11:05 AM
Nov 27

Preferably his babies.

He has at least 12 kids, he thinks he is so special he needs to populate
the world with his DNA.

DENVERPOPS

(10,147 posts)
36. LOL
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 11:41 AM
Nov 27

Sorta reminds me of the movie: A BOY AND HIS DOG.......a cult favorite from decades ago.....

Hand Maidens on Steroids......

Don Johnson and Jason Robards

Biophilic

(4,986 posts)
43. Jesus H Fucking Christ
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 12:16 PM
Nov 27

These males are not the crème of the crop. They are very obviously scared to death of women in general. Poor babies.

Irish_Dem

(59,689 posts)
54. Some of his children hate him.
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 02:01 PM
Nov 27

He has a transgender daughter and has been very hateful to her and about her in the press.
He said he was tricked into approving gender affirming care and that he lost his son who is now dead to him.

This child hates her father.

Irish_Dem

(59,689 posts)
56. Yes. I think he wants to populate Mars too.
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 02:52 PM
Nov 27

Part of his dream about terraforming the planet.

Owens

(352 posts)
10. I hope this backfires in his face big time
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 10:20 AM
Nov 27

Truly hope hackers go after Elon Musk and his family

PortTack

(34,830 posts)
11. Elonia is a young t-rump. Everything he touches dies.
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 10:26 AM
Nov 27

Twitter on the skids
Cyber truck a piece of junk that is now piling up on dealer lots along with his self driving cars, and his crashing space rockets.

JohnSJ

(96,810 posts)
14. They should do a class action suit against the POS. Personal HR are supposed
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 10:46 AM
Nov 27

to be confidential. These are not public figures.

17. It's getting close to the time
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 10:47 AM
Nov 27

To put Musk out of our misery. Keep pushing, dickwad. Your money will only protect you for so long.

mn9driver

(4,594 posts)
20. Musk needs a few multimillion dollar defamation lawsuits
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 10:54 AM
Nov 27

to keep him occupied. The civil justice system seems to be the only thing working to give these billionaire fascists the occasional consequence.

valleyrogue

(1,191 posts)
32. I hope there are plans in the works to do just that.
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 11:32 AM
Nov 27

Make him pay his entire fortune to pay off civil servants and others he is trying to ruin.

Make him go the way of Alex Jones.

republianmushroom

(18,179 posts)
26. Democrats best remember this in 4 years, what goes around comes around.
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 11:19 AM
Nov 27

And that hand they offer across the aisle is balled in a fist.

bdamomma

(66,720 posts)
28. Musk
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 11:25 AM
Nov 27

is threatening federal workers, that's illegal. Fear is all they have. Who can these people report too???

bdamomma

(66,720 posts)
58. Garland
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 05:42 PM
Nov 27

Federalist, the only person he managed to put away was Hunter Biden on less charges than the felon I do not trust Garland.

kerouac2

(744 posts)
29. He is a regular citizen. Laws should still apply.
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 11:26 AM
Nov 27

Then again, we have seen worse go unpunished among these thugs for a very long time. So I guess it gets a "meh" and we all just watch it get worse and worse.

rubbersole

(8,697 posts)
49. He'll have a falling out with tsf....
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 12:29 PM
Nov 27

....and the insane magats will look at him as a threat. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Botany

(72,660 posts)
38. Burning America to the Ground after rigging*
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 11:53 AM
Nov 27

the election. Putin must be thrilled.

And the salt water is working its way north
up the Mississippi as the sea levels rise from
melting the melting of the global ice packs.

* They were into the voting data. The
election was dirty as shit.

hadEnuf

(2,787 posts)
48. Makes sense. Who in their right fucking mind would have voted for this shit?
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 12:26 PM
Nov 27

People need to think about that.

The price of eggs my ass.

Botany

(72,660 posts)
57. And why is the price of eggs higher? Inflation because of President Biden?
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 04:33 PM
Nov 27

No the prices of eggs is up because we have had a severe outbreak of Avian Influenza
and we are down 40 million chickens. Funny, you don’t here that on the mainstream
media outlets.

hadEnuf

(2,787 posts)
61. No, you never will hear any of that on the MSM either.
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 08:29 PM
Nov 27

They'd rather go with BS gossip about Democrats. Now they are boo hooing about what Trump and his band of lunatics are going to do to the country, after they helped him win of course.

The media makes me sick.

Botany

(72,660 posts)
62. Liberal media
Thu Nov 28, 2024, 08:13 AM
Nov 28



Joe Biden has had one of the consequential Presidency in American history and we
heard made up bullshit about him and Vice President Harris > 70% of the time. Something
Like 6 different republican owned and run organizations control about 80% of the market.
The push back is on big time about not questioning the bazaar win by Trump, Musk, and
Putin. I will go to my grave KNOWING the election was dirty.

tonekat

(2,051 posts)
41. It sounds like a lot of people will want revenge
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 12:06 PM
Nov 27

A large angry mob will want Leon's head on a stick. Does he think he won't be eventually gibbeted?

bronxiteforever

(9,554 posts)
42. What goes around comes around
Wed Nov 27, 2024, 12:16 PM
Nov 27

Any Muskovite appointees will be similarity unmasked in a change over.

Bengus81

(7,494 posts)
63. Yeah...total POS but I'll try and get the info somewhere else. I refuse to click on any CNN link........
Thu Nov 28, 2024, 08:41 AM
Nov 28

Haven't watched,click or read anything of CNN's since that phony Trump em.."Town Hall" and I won't start now.

Hotler

(12,388 posts)
64. I doubt all Fed. employees are Dems & Libs. and voted as such. I bet there will be many
Fri Nov 29, 2024, 08:32 AM
Nov 29

fascist voters surprised by their sudden job loss. No more government gravy train for them. toot toot.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Elon Musk publicized the ...