Tech Experts Clash With Musk’s Takeover
The resigning staffers, who previously worked at Google and Amazon, were part of what was once known as the U.S. Digital Service (USDS), an office created under President Barack Obama to modernize Social Security, veterans’ benefits, tax filing, and healthcare.
However, after Trump’s inauguration, they were called into a series of secretive interviews, where unidentified individuals wearing White House visitor badges grilled them about their qualifications and political views. Many of the interrogators appeared to be Musk loyalists with limited technical experience, according to the resignation letter.
“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 staffers wrote.
Earlier this month, about 40 staffers were laid off, significantly weakening the government’s ability to administer and safeguard federal digital systems. The latest resignations leave only 65 employees remaining, with a third of them quitting Tuesday.
“We will not use our skills as technologists to compromise core government systems, jeopardize Americans’ sensitive data, or dismantle critical public services,” the departing employees wrote. “We will not lend our expertise to carry out or legitimize DOGE’s actions.”
