DOGE technologists are currently executing a quiet but systematic overhaul of the United States federal government, transitioning into a decentralized “DOGE 2.0” model that persists despite Elon Musk’s official departure from the administration. This new iteration of the Department of Government Efficiency has abandoned flashy public leadership in favor of embedding operatives directly into the bureaucratic fabric, where they influence multi-million dollar contracts and agency operations with minimal White House oversight.
From Flashy Leadership to Shadow Operations
The disappearance and sudden reappearance of key figures like Coristine at the Social Security Administration (SSA) signals a strategic pivot. Working alongside DOGE member Aram Moghaddassi, Coristine now focuses on “improving functionality” and “efficiency” within the SSA. This movement characterizes the new DOGE ethos: a wholesale assault on federal agencies conducted by technologists who cycle in and out of government roles to rebuild infrastructure and slash contracts from the inside.
Internal culture at these agencies has shifted to accommodate this presence. At the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), legacy employees report a rebranding effort. “Our boss says not to call them DOGE anymore,” one VA staffer noted, while USDA employees now refer to the group as the “USDA Digital Service.” This semantic shift suggests a move toward making DOGE an institutionalized, permanent fixture of the federal hierarchy.
High-Stakes Hiring and the $195,000 Talent Pipeline
Despite Musk’s formal exit, the recruitment machine remains aggressive. DOGE continues to hire for development, software, and product roles, offering two-year terms with salaries reaching the top of the federal pay scale—between $120,000 and $195,000. These recruits are not merely advisors; they are decision-makers leading high-level projects and visiting agency headquarters to audit internal processes.
New faces are surfacing in critical positions. In June, GSA administrator Stephen Ehikian and Technology Transformation Services director Thomas Shedd introduced Brian Burroughs, an IT consultant formerly of Business Operational Concepts, to agency staff. Similarly, the Treasury recently saw the arrival of Roland Shen, a young engineer with ties to the Musk-aligned payments startup Ramp, a firm ProPublica previously identified as a candidate to manage GSA internal expenses.
Legal Gray Zones and the Signal-Led Command Chain
One of the most controversial aspects of DOGE 2.0 is its reliance on encrypted communication and informal leadership. Steve Davis, president of Musk’s Boring Company, reportedly continues to exert influence over government staffers via Signal, despite his supposed exit. Sahil Lavingia, a former DOGE member, confirmed that the operation remains functional without government-issued hardware. “You don’t need a government laptop or email… to tell people what to do,” Lavingia stated, highlighting a significant oversight vacuum.
The group also faces scrutiny regarding personnel eligibility. Yat Choi, an engineer at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) who has posted TikTok content mocking government waste, has been identified in social media posts as a Canadian citizen on a temporary visa. Since foreign nationals are generally barred from US government positions, Choi’s role raises legal questions about the vetting process for DOGE-affiliated hires.
AI-Driven Purges and the Palantir Connection
The DOGE agenda is increasingly powered by artificial intelligence. At the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), an AI tool led by Christopher Sweet is currently reviewing regulations for potential rescission. While some staffers describe the AI’s performance as “painful” and inaccurate, the project has already expanded to the VA. A recent memo confirms that the VA will use AI to “narrow the field of documents” requiring further review for possible elimination.
Furthermore, the influence of Palantir—the defense contractor cofounded by Peter Thiel—is deepening. Palantir is reportedly assisting DOGE in building a “mega API” at the IRS. This technical integration is bolstered by a wave of new Chief Information Officers (CIOs) with ties to the Musk/Thiel ecosystem, including Sam Corcos at the Treasury and Aram Moghaddassi at the SSA. With at least six agency CIOs now linked to these circles, the line between private tech interests and federal governance continues to blur.
Don Moynihan, a public policy professor at the University of Michigan, warns that the executive order creating DOGE ensures its survival. “It is a tool that can be used even when Musk is not around,” Moynihan explained. As DOGE operatives convert from temporary “special government employees” to full-time status—as seen with Luke Farritor and Ethan Shaotran at the GSA—the organization’s presence appears less like a temporary task force and more like a permanent digital shadow cabinet.
