DOGE's Enduring Influence: How Government Efficiency Operatives Remain Embedded in Federal Agencies

Recent headlines suggesting the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has disbanded present a misleading picture of the current state of federal government operations. Contrary to reports claiming DOGE is "pretty much over," exclusive reporting reveals that DOGE operatives remain deeply embedded across federal agencies, holding key leadership positions and continuing to implement the controversial program's core principles. This persistence raises critical questions about government transparency, accountability, and the long-term impacts of Silicon Valley's influence on federal operations.

The Misleading Narrative of DOGE's Demise

Late last month, Reuters reported that DOGE had disbanded, citing statements from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that the group was no longer a centralized government entity. This reporting created the impression that the controversial program, which brought Elon Musk's band of Silicon Valley technologists into government, had reached its conclusion. However, this narrative fails to capture the reality on the ground, where DOGE's influence has simply transformed rather than disappeared.

Scott Kupor, director of OPM and former managing partner at Andreessen Horowitz, posted on X that "DOGE may not have centralized leadership under USDS anymore, but the principles of DOGE remain alive and well—deregulation, eliminating fraud, waste and abuse, reshaping the federal workforce." This statement, while acknowledging DOGE's changed structure, confirms that its core mission continues. Even Elon Musk himself stated on Joe Rogan's podcast last month that "once I left, they weren't able to pick on anyone, but don't worry, DOGE is still there."

DOGE Operatives in Key Government Positions

WIRED's reporting reveals that many original DOGE technologists have fanned out into various agencies, assuming significant roles that allow them to continue implementing DOGE principles. These individuals, whose identities were first reported by WIRED, remain enmeshed in government operations despite claims of DOGE's dissolution.

One prominent example is Sam Corcos, who serves as chief information officer of the Treasury Department while maintaining DOGE affiliations. Other original DOGE technologists, including Edward Coristine, Gavin Kliger, Marko Elez, Akash Bobba, and Ethan Choutran, continue working as developers, designers, and leaders in powerful agency roles. As one source from the USDA described the situation, DOGE operatives are "buried into the agencies like ticks," suggesting their deep integration despite official denials of their presence.

The Evolution of DOGE's Influence

The current phase of DOGE's existence represents an evolution rather than an ending. Without Elon Musk's controversial figurehead leadership, the program has become less visible but arguably more integrated into government operations. This shift has made it increasingly difficult to differentiate where DOGE stops and the broader Trump administration begins, as DOGE's ethos of deregulation, cost-cutting, and zero-based budgeting has become "table stakes" for the administration.

During Musk's tenure, tensions emerged between DOGE's approach and traditional government operations, with White House officials sometimes learning about DOGE activities through media reports rather than internal communications. The current arrangement appears more copacetic, with DOGE principles being implemented in full purview of the White House but without the public controversies that characterized Musk's leadership.

Immediate and Long-Term Impacts

The consequences of DOGE's ongoing influence are already becoming apparent, with more significant impacts likely to emerge over time. Immediate effects include substantial workforce reductions, with approximately 300,000 government employees having left their jobs and a quarter of the CDC workforce eliminated. These cuts reflect DOGE's Silicon Valley-inspired approach to government efficiency, which prioritizes lean operations and technological solutions over traditional bureaucratic structures.

More concerning are the potential long-term public health and safety implications. The shutdown of USAID, which can be attributed entirely to DOGE influence, has already resulted in documented loss of life due to discontinued aid programs. Programs focusing on HIV studies and other critical public health initiatives have been cut, raising questions about America's preparedness for future health crises. As agency directors resign rather than implement policies they consider dangerous, the institutional knowledge and expertise needed to address complex challenges diminishes.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Silicon Valley in Government

The persistence of DOGE operatives within federal agencies represents more than just bureaucratic continuity—it signals a fundamental shift in how government operates. The Silicon Valley ethos of disruption, efficiency, and technological solutionism has become embedded in federal operations, with potentially far-reaching consequences for governance, public services, and democratic accountability.

As DOGE's influence continues under different organizational structures, questions remain about transparency, data security, and the appropriate balance between innovation and institutional stability. The coming years will reveal whether this experiment in government transformation delivers promised efficiencies or creates new vulnerabilities in America's governance systems.