1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

Federal employees dutifully serve the American public across various agencies, yet President Trump's close advisor Elon Musk initiated a policy demanding they account for their workweek through an email ultimatum: submit work reports or resign. The President then mocked these civil servants by sharing a SpongeBob meme ridiculing their efforts, depicting them "crying about Trump and Elon" instead of working. Rather than denigrating those who devote their careers to essential government functions, often for modest compensation, we should recognize their vital contributions to maintaining our democracy and national interests. Derisive attitudes from leadership breed low morale and distrust in public institutions when gratitude and respect are warranted.