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Slate News

What Next TBD | The DOGE Resistance

Feb 28, 2025
Ryan Mac, a tech reporter from the New York Times and co-author of “Character Limit: How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter,” dives into the resignations of federal workers protesting DOGE leadership issues. He discusses the chaos within federal agencies, sparked by Musk's controversial directives. The podcast explores the emerging resistance against tech leaders and the implications for future government interactions. Additionally, Mac addresses how generative AI is reshaping communication and highlights the political backlash surrounding this evolving landscape.
30:34

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The mass resignation of federal workers from the U.S. Digital Service highlights significant communication and leadership issues within the controversial DOGE department.
  • Elon Musk's ambiguous role in federal operations raises concerns about private influence over government functions and the potential for disruptions in governance.

Deep dives

Resignations Signal Employee Discontent

Twenty-one employees from the U.S. Digital Service (USDS) resigned in protest after being absorbed into a controversial new department, DOGE, which has caused unrest among staff members. This group, representing roughly one-third of the remaining workforce, publicly expressed their dissatisfaction through a letter to the White House chief of staff and by launching a website to voice their grievances. Their discontent stems from a perceived lack of transparency regarding new directives from top officials, including those associated with Elon Musk. The disarray within the organization highlights significant issues in communication and leadership structure that have prompted these high-profile resignations.

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