Elon Musk’s Government Efficiency Agency in Crisis as Staffers Resign

Washington, D.C., The Gulf Observer: Twenty-one staff members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an agency overseen by entrepreneur Elon Musk, have resigned, citing concerns over security risks and political interference. In a letter addressed to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles on Tuesday, the departing officials stated they “will not lend our expertise to carry out or legitimize DOGE’s actions.”

The resigning staffers were part of the U.S. Digital Service, a White House unit established in 2014 under former President Barack Obama to modernize government technology. The office was renamed the United States DOGE Service through an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Inauguration Day.

According to the letter, the staffers alleged that they were asked to perform tasks that undermined national security and violated ethical standards. “We will not use our skills as technologists to compromise core government systems, jeopardize Americans’ sensitive data, or dismantle critical public services,” the letter stated, as reported by various media outlets.

The letter further described an unusual vetting process that took place the day after Inauguration Day. The staffers reported undergoing 15-minute interviews conducted by unidentified individuals wearing White House visitor badges. “Several of these interviewers refused to identify themselves, asked questions about political loyalty, attempted to pit colleagues against each other, and demonstrated limited technical ability,” the letter stated. The staffers contended that this process created security risks and was “designed to intimidate government employees.”

Additionally, the letter claimed that on February 16, DOGE representatives attempted to integrate them into operations that contradicted the agency’s stated mission. The staffers accused DOGE of “firing technical experts, mishandling sensitive data, and breaking critical systems.” These alleged actions, they argued, were inconsistent with the executive order that established DOGE, which stated the agency’s primary goal was to “modernize federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.”

Following news of the resignations, DOGE official Katie Miller responded on social media platform X, stating, “These were full remote workers who hung Trans flags from their workplaces.” The comment has been met with criticism from government transparency advocates and civil rights groups.

The resignations come amid increasing controversy surrounding DOGE’s role in the federal government. The agency’s workforce reductions have caused disruption across multiple departments, as DOGE employees have been reviewing data systems to identify jobs deemed redundant or misaligned with the administration’s priorities. This process has led to mass terminations by federal agency heads.

Adding to the turmoil, Musk announced over the weekend that he had sent an email to all government employees, requiring them to list five accomplishments from the past week or face termination. However, key officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and FBI Director Kash Patel, have reportedly instructed their employees not to comply with Musk’s directive.

Musk’s official role in DOGE has also been questioned. Although President Trump’s executive order established the position of DOGE administrator, the administration has stated in a legal challenge that Musk does not officially hold this title or any formal employment with the organization. On Monday, a federal judge in Washington raised constitutional concerns about DOGE’s structure and Musk’s involvement.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to clarify Musk’s position when asked at a press briefing on Tuesday. “The president tasked Elon Musk to oversee the DOGE effort,” Leavitt stated. “There are career officials and political appointees who are helping run DOGE on a day-to-day basis.” She did not disclose who serves as the official administrator of the agency.

As scrutiny over DOGE intensifies, legal experts and lawmakers have called for further investigation into the agency’s operations, raising concerns about transparency, accountability, and the potential politicization of government functions.