World Business Report Goodbye Doge
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Nov 24, 2025 Max Steyer, President of the Partnership for Public Service, and Liberty Vitter Capeto, a data science professor, dive into the abrupt end of the government's efficiency initiative, Doge. They discuss how Doge's aggressive cuts backfired, harming morale and staff capacity. Steyer emphasizes the negative personal impact, sharing how laid-off scientists feel disrespected. Vitter counters with a defense of necessary cost-cutting, though both question the claimed savings. The conversation reveals the complexities of balancing efficiency with human costs in government reform.
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Cuts Created More Waste Than Savings
- Doge's cuts often created more waste and operational harm than savings.
- Max Steyer says firing without context destroyed morale and government capacity.
Probationary Scientists Got Laid Off
- Tom Delebeto, a NOAA climate scientist, was laid off during Doge's cuts.
- Many probationary staff like him were fired despite their essential roles and later rehired.
Private Tactics Don't Fit Government
- Leaders must contextualize tactics to institutions; what works in private firms can fail in government.
- Max Steyer argues Elon Musk treated the federal government like Twitter, worsening outcomes.