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Doge eliminated the US government's tech experts – what has been lost?

The Trump administration’s latest move to improve government efficiency has purged tech consultants that worked to improve government efficiency

18F consulted with other government agencies about adopting cost-effective technologies and built digital services for tasks including applying for passports and filing taxes online. Since President Donald Trump began his second term in January 2025, he has renamed and remade the USDS as DOGE, which is nominally led by government official Amy Gleason but has in effect been commandeered by tech billionaire Elon Musk. The elimination of 18F and a combination of layoffs and resignations from the former USDS team means there is no organisation left with a government-wide mission to develop and build technology, say former 18F employees.

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