Washington, D.C. – A group of 21 civil servants resigned from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) today, refusing to implement the Trump administration’s federal downsizing efforts.
Key Takeaways:
- The resigning employees were part of the U.S. Digital Service, which was renamed the U.S. DOGE Service under Trump.
- Their departure represents a loss of one-third of the unit’s workforce.
- Confusion remains over who actually leads DOGE, with conflicting statements from the White House and Elon Musk’s involvement.
- Musk dismissed the resignations as “fake news,” calling the workers “Dem political holdovers”.
Joint Resignation Letter:
“We swore to serve the American people and uphold our oath to the Constitution. However, it has become clear that we can no longer honor those commitments.”
Why Did These 21 Employees Resign?
DOGE’s Federal Overhaul Sparks Internal Revolt
- DOGE’s mission is to reduce the size of the federal government and cut costs.
- Federal workers were recently ordered to submit weekly accomplishment reports, leading to widespread resistance.
- The resigning staffers refused to use their tech expertise to support DOGE’s agenda.
Resignation Letter:
“We will not use our skills as technologists to compromise core government systems, jeopardize Americans’ sensitive data, or dismantle critical public services.”
Who Were These Employees?
- They were members of the U.S. Digital Service, a unit responsible for modernizing government technology.
- After layoffs and resignations, DOGE has lost about one-third of its workforce.
DOGE Official Kate Miller’s Response:
“These were full remote workers who hung Trans flags from their workplaces.”
Who Is Actually Running DOGE?
White House’s Conflicting Statements
- Elon Musk is widely believed to be the head of DOGE, but the White House now suggests otherwise.
- Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt refused to name DOGE’s leader, stating:“I am not going to reveal the name of that individual from this podium.”
- Amy Gleason, a senior adviser at U.S. Digital Services, is rumored to be DOGE’s administrator, but she has refused to confirm her role.
Justice Department’s Statement on Musk:
- A lawsuit filed by state attorneys accuses Musk of acting with “virtually unchecked authority.”
- The Justice Department clarified Musk “has no greater authority than other senior White House advisors” and cannot make government decisions himself.
Musk’s Reaction on X:
“Fake news. These workers were Dem political holdovers who would have been fired had they not resigned.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt:
“President Trump will not be deterred from making our federal government more efficient and more accountable.”
