On January 20, The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was born between flurries of white paper and black-ink pens. Under an executive order from President Trump, the United States Digital Service, a unit of the White House created under President Barack Obama in 2014, was renamed the United States DOGE Service (USDS) to streamline government operations, reduce waste, and enhance efficiency. 

Led by Elon Musk as a special government employee, DOGE oversees federal spending, restructures agencies, and eliminates unnecessary contracts. While praised for its cost-cutting measures, concerns have arisen regarding potential privacy violations and government overreach. Since February 13, the Trump administration has removed almost 300,000 federal workers in at least seven agencies–including the Center for Disease Control Prevention, Homeland Security, and National Nuclear Security Administration–in its effort to “shrink the federal workforce,” according to Politico. 

Although the executive order signed on Inauguration Day states that DOGE would have an official administrator, in a court challenge, Trump’s administration argued that Musk is not an employee of the organization, while Trump himself, has argued otherwise.

Employment in the federal government begins with a probationary period of one year, often with fewer protections, leaving employees in a position vulnerable to this employment wipeout. According to NBC News, “The purge was swift. Some employees at the CDC were told they had two hours to collect their belongings and leave before losing access to the building.”

Over the weekend, Musk had reportedly sent an email to all government staff, demanding that they list at least five actions in the past week that had benefited the government, or they would be let go. Yet, several department heads—such as Defense Department Secretary Pete Hegseth and FBI Director Kash Patel, both Trump loyalists—have told their employees to disregard the email.   

Under the Trump administration, DOGE has sanctioned job dissolvements unilaterally, without consulting Congress or other government agencies. Workforce unions and other organizations have protested against Musk and Trump, arguing that their actions violate the Constitution’s system of checks and balances. Since the mass layoffs, more than 60 lawsuits have been filed against the Trump administration, claiming that the executive branch has overstepped its authority. 

In addition to the numerous lawsuits, long-standing USDS members who remained after the rebranding have begun resigning. According to CBS News, officials have stated, “[DOGE] will not use our skills as technologists to compromise core government systems, jeopardize Americans’ sensitive data, or dismantle critical public services.” As of Tuesday, February 25, 21 employees have resigned, further amplifying discontent with the federal government’s decisions.