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The efficiency agency Doge, led by Elon Musk, is facing a significant personnel crisis. 21 employees, including engineers, data scientists, and product managers, have resigned in protest against the agency’s recent direction. Their main concern is the agency’s growing role in restructuring government functions, centralizing sensitive data, and potentially compromising public services. This development is a major setback for both Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump, who aims to streamline the federal workforce and eliminate thousands of government jobs through Doge.
“We Can No Longer Support This Agenda”
In a joint resignation letter, the departing employees justified their decision, stating that their professional integrity was at stake. They refused to “develop technologies that undermine government structures, endanger citizens’ privacy, or dismantle essential public services.” Initially, their work was intended to make government operations more efficient, but they now see it as being repurposed for political and ideological goals.
The Controversial Role of Doge
Doge was established as part of Trump’s federal administration reform efforts. The concept was first introduced by Musk during a public discussion with Trump, in which he immediately pledged his support. While the agency was created to improve bureaucratic efficiency, it has recently taken drastic and controversial steps. One of its most alarming moves was the partial shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), with 2,200 employees placed on leave—effectively crippling the institution.
Another growing concern is Doge’s unprecedented access to financial and personnel data through the U.S. Treasury. Critics warn that this centralization of sensitive government information poses serious risks to national security and privacy rights.
Musk’s Economic Interests Under Scrutiny
Musk’s involvement with Doge has also raised questions about conflicts of interest. His companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, have multi-billion-dollar contracts with the U.S. government while also being under regulatory scrutiny. Observers suspect that Musk is leveraging his position within Doge to secure strategic advantages for his business empire.
With the departure of 21 key employees, Doge has lost a significant portion of its expertise in technology and data analysis. Whether Musk and Trump will be able to push forward with their radical restructuring plans remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: opposition to the agency is rapidly growing.
