A mass resignation has shaken the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as 21 employees quit their positions, claiming they could “no longer honor commitments” they made upon joining the agency.
In a joint resignation letter, obtained by the Associated Press and other media outlets, the former employees expressed their concerns over DOGE’s direction, alleging that its policies compromise government systems, threaten sensitive data, and dismantle critical public services.
Why Did These Employees Resign?
The letter, issued on Tuesday, outlined their reasons for stepping down:
“We swore to serve the American people and uphold our oath to the Constitution across presidential administrations. However, it has become clear that we can no longer honor those commitments. We will not use our skills as technologists to compromise core government systems, jeopardize Americans’ sensitive data, or dismantle critical public services. We will not lend our expertise to carry out or legitimize DOGE’s actions.”
Key Concerns Raised by the Resigning Employees
- Ethical Dilemmas – The former DOGE employees believe the agency is violating core government principles, rather than improving efficiency.
- Security Risks – They fear that DOGE’s handling of technology and data systems may jeopardize Americans’ private information.
- Public Service Reductions – They claim DOGE is actively cutting essential programs like Social Security, veterans’ services, healthcare, and tax filing systems.
Who Were the Resigning Employees?
The 21 employees were highly skilled professionals from diverse tech and government backgrounds, including:
- Product Managers
- Data Scientists
- Engineers
- Designers
- IT Division Head
Many of them previously held senior positions at major tech firms such as Amazon and Google before joining the United States Digital Service (USDS)—which later became DOGE under the Trump administration.
The former employees also revealed that, before DOGE’s formation, USDS members were questioned about their political views and work experience, raising concerns about political influence within the agency.
DOGE Layoffs & Workforce Reduction
The resignations came shortly after DOGE laid off 40 employees, which the former workers also addressed in their letter:
“These highly skilled civil servants were working to modernize Social Security, veterans’ services, tax filing, healthcare, disaster relief, student aid, and other critical services. Their removal endangers millions of Americans who rely on these services every day. The sudden loss of their technology expertise makes critical systems and Americans’ data less safe.”
With these departures, DOGE’s workforce has shrunk drastically:
- Initial Headcount: 105 employees
- After Layoffs: 65 employees
- After Resignations: Only 44 employees remain
Elon Musk & White House Response
Elon Musk, widely considered the leader of DOGE, dismissed the resignations, accusing the former employees of political bias.
“More fake news from Associated Propaganda. These were Dem political holdovers who refused to return to office. They would have been fired had they not resigned,” Musk said in response to the AP report.
Meanwhile, Karoline Leavitt, Press Secretary for the Trump administration, reiterated that Trump remains committed to his government efficiency agenda.
“Anyone who thinks protests, lawsuits, and lawfare will deter President Trump must have been sleeping under a rock for the past several years. President Trump will not be deterred from delivering on the promises he made to make our federal government more efficient and more accountable to the hardworking American taxpayers.”
The Bigger Picture: A Deepening Divide Over Government Reform
The DOGE resignations highlight a growing divide over how the federal government should operate:
- Trump’s administration argues that cutting government waste is necessary to make federal agencies more efficient and accountable.
- Critics claim that these cuts harm critical services and put national security at risk.
With DOGE’s workforce now at only 44 employees, questions remain about its future operations and ability to implement reforms effectively.
