Twenty-one federal technology staffers resigned from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) this week, citing ethical objections to efforts they claim endanger critical public services and Americans’ data security. The mass exodus highlights growing tensions between nonpartisan civil servants and politically driven reforms under the Trump administration.
The resigning employees, formerly part of the U.S. Digital Service (USDS), accused DOGE leadership of prioritizing ideology over technical expertise.
We will not use our skills to dismantle systems millions rely on,their resignation letter stated, emphasizing their oath to constitutional duty over partisan agendas.
USDS, established after the 2013 Healthcare.gov crisis, previously modernized services like tax filing portals and veterans’ benefits. Recent layoffs and Musk’s restructuring have weakened safeguards for:
- Social Security systems
- Disaster relief coordination
- Healthcare enrollment platforms
- Student aid applications
Former staffer Jonathan Kamens alleged he was fired for criticizing Musk’s leadership, raising concerns about security risks from reduced oversight. Cordell Schachter, ex-Department of Transportation CIO, warned: Breaking government systems impacts people who didn’t consent to the experiment.
Legal challenges continue against DOGE’s workforce reductions, which critics argue violate civil service protections. With 65 remaining staffers now integrated into Musk’s efficiency drive, experts fear accelerated erosion of institutional tech knowledge.