Elon Musk’s DOGE is draining the life from the once-vaunted U.S. Digital Service

The United States Digital Service (USDS) is facing significant changes with the arrival of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Many USDS employees have resigned, including deputy administrator Ted Carstensen, and around 50 employees were laid off in DOGE's first major round of layoffs. The layoffs targeted product managers and web designers, leaving most engineers in place. The reorganization has sparked concerns over political interference, with some employees citing intimidating interviews and security risks. Around 40 workers remain in the unit, with many staying on to continue the original mission of making government services more efficient. However, the new USDS, now part of the executive branch, has a different definition of "efficiency" that involves firing federal employees and canceling contract payments. The original USDS aimed to modernize government services using a software product development approach, whereas DOGE's approach is more focused on cost-cutting. Despite the challenges, some believe that DOGE's authority could be used to accomplish meaningful work and bring about positive change in the long term. Former USDS administrator Mikey Dickerson notes that DOGE's ability to "bulldoze through dumb obstacles" could be beneficial, but he sees no evidence of this so far. The changes have sparked concerns over the future of the USDS and its mission to improve government services.