US "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) is experiencing another personnel shake-up. The New York Times reported on the 25th that Musk's core DOGE confidant Edward Coristine resigned on June 24th. After Musk's departure in late May, this key personnel loss adds uncertainty to the Trump administration's plan to streamline the public sector through technology.
A White House official said: "Edward Coristine resigned yesterday."
Resignation Wave Reveals Multiple Challenges
DOGE was established by President Trump through an executive order on January 20, 2025, with the goal of reshaping federal processes using AI and data analysis to reduce wasteful expenditures. By the end of March, the department's staff was estimated to have been reduced by 12%. Employees are required to report their output weekly, with no response considered a resignation.
The DOGE team consists mostly of young engineers with close ties to data integration company Palantir. Concerns exist about the potential privacy impact of massive data centralization, and internal disagreements have led to ongoing departures. Musk ended his 130-day "Special Government Employee" tenure in late May under significant political and commercial pressure.
The 19-year-old programming prodigy Edward Coristine, responsible for performance review code, was considered the core of DOGE's execution capability and Musk's sole remaining support after his resignation. Government officials emphasized his critical role in DOGE's rapid cost-saving efforts. White House staff revealed intense internal pressure in recent months, with some questioning the project's direction and data security, even stating that "resignation is the only option".
Continued talent loss is impacting operations, with some public service projects being shelved due to cuts and reorganization. Research and training gaps may expand social costs. Trump's staff privately admitted that if cost-saving effects cannot be quickly demonstrated, they "may need to cut losses".
Within just half a year, key figures from Musk to Edward Coristine have left, bringing DOGE to a crossroads. Although the reform blueprint has planted the seeds of data-driven governance, the ability to continue this high-profile government experiment is being tested by challenges in execution, trust, and privacy concerns, which will determine the next steps of US federal administrative reform.
