Washington, d. C. Us - 12. 16. 2023: lyndon b johnson federal building headquarters for the us department of education — Washington, D. C. US - 12. 16. 2023: Lyndon B Johnson federal building headquarters for the US department of Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump signed an executive order yesterday mandating that all federal government employees working remotely report back to their offices, effectively ending remote work for federal agencies. The order, which took effect today, is aimed at addressing what the administration calls inefficiencies caused by extended telework policies.

“Federal workers are essential to serving the American people, and this move will ensure that government functions at its highest capacity,” the administration stated in a press release accompanying the order.

Elon Musk, head of the new Department of Government Efficiency, weighed in on the issue on social media Tuesday morning, alleging that squatters have taken over some underused federal buildings during the remote work era. “Some government buildings, including in DC, have been taken over by squatters, while taxpayers continue to pay for the upkeep!” Musk wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

He further criticized the lack of occupancy in federal offices, claiming, “Not even one government building was found to be even half occupied!”

The administration has not commented on Musk’s claims, and no official data has been released to corroborate reports of widespread squatting in government properties.

Federal agencies have begun implementing the return-to-office directive, with employees instructed to resume in-person duties as early as today. The abrupt end to telework has sparked debates about its impact on productivity, federal office usage, and the broader implications for the workforce.

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Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

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