A wave of resignations has rocked Elon Musk’s government-backed tech unit, DOGE, as dozens of staff members quit in protest, citing concerns over dismantling public services.
In a blistering resignation letter first reported by the Associated Press, 21 former DOGE employees—many of whom originally served in the U.S. Digital Service (USDS)—declared their refusal to “dismantle critical public services” under Musk’s leadership.
Mass Exodus at DOGE
The USDS, a federal agency of roughly 100 employees, was transformed into DOGE after Musk took control. Since then, the department has undergone significant upheaval, including the termination of 40 employees.
Over the past month, DOGE has aggressively audited multiple federal agencies, demanding access to sensitive data, conducting performance reviews of staff, and even requesting email logs detailing weekly work achievements.
According to the former employees’ letter, DOGE interviewers engaged in questionable tactics, including refusing to identify themselves, probing staff on political loyalties, and displaying “limited technical ability.”
“This process created significant security risks,” the letter warned.
DOGE’s Response
DOGE spokesperson Katie Miller downplayed the resignations, claiming on X that the departing staff were “fully remote workers who hung Trans flags from their workplaces.”
Many of the ex-staffers previously worked in big tech and expressed frustration over DOGE’s sweeping federal review, which has already led to an estimated $65 billion in taxpayer savings, according to Musk’s team.
The cost-cutting measures have included canceling contracts related to foreign aid, diversity and inclusion programs, and recently hired federal employees.
Concerns Over Public Services
The resigning employees argued that their work was vital to modernizing critical services, including Social Security, veterans’ benefits, tax filings, disaster relief, and student aid.
“Their removal endangers millions of Americans who rely on these services every day,” the letter stated. “The sudden loss of their technology expertise makes critical systems and Americans’ data less safe.”
Fallout Across the Federal Government
DOGE’s actions have caused confusion and pushback from other federal agencies. A controversial email—sent under the title “HR” but actually from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)—asked federal employees, “What did you do last week?”
The vague request prompted high-level clarifications. FBI Director Kash Patel instructed his staff to disregard the email, while Pentagon leadership, under Pete Hegseth, issued a similar directive.
However, Musk responded with a stern warning on X, stating that any employee who ignored a second email request would be terminated—”subject to the discretion of the President.”
A Defiant Stand
According to AP, nearly one-third of DOGE employees who remained from the original USDS quit in protest on Tuesday.
“We will not use our skills as technologists to compromise core government systems, jeopardize Americans’ sensitive data, or dismantle critical public services,” their letter read.
“We will not lend our expertise to carry out or legitimize DOGE’s actions.”
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