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🌊 Are tweets a fireable offense?
The short-lived career of a DOGE employee raises questions about fireable language
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When should a tweet be a fireable offense? That question is being asked right now after the Wall Street Journal unearthed tweets by a young DOGE engineer, prompting his resignation and a fierce political battle. If you haven’t heard about this yet, you likely will soon. In today’s story, we give you the facts so you can make up your own mind.
–Max Frost, Roca editor-in-chief
Elon Musk’s Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) has emerged as arguably the greatest lighting rod in the early days of President Trump’s second term. The group has inserted itself into a range of government agencies where it’s moved at a rapid pace to collect data and recommend cuts and layoffs. Its mission – to cut trillions in government spending – has earned praise from Trump supporters and dire warnings from many others.
Last week, Wired broke the news that some of the most influential people at DOGE are young guys – including six programmers between the ages of 19 and 25. They attended schools like Harvard and UC Berkeley; founded tech startups; and worked at companies like Meta, Palantir, SpaceX, and Neuralink.
Arguments ensued.
Supporters said this is exactly who should be making decisions: The country’s brightest young minds, bringing the power of technology to update an out-of-date and inefficient bureaucracy.
Critics said this is exactly who should not be making decisions: Kids with no understanding of the world or government deciding how to cut billions in spending and thousands of jobs.
Days later, the Wall Street Journal released its own report about the kids, and chaos ensued.
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Editor’s Note
We’re very curious to hear your thoughts on this story. Should the tweets be disqualifying? Should Elez be re-hired? Are you excited or fearful about what DOGE is doing? Reply to this email to let us know. We’re eager to hear from you.
Separately, if you missed this weekend’s stories, they’re here. One is about the politics that preceded the DCA crash; the other is a summary of the H-1B debate.
See you tomorrow.
–Max and Max
RocaNews co-founders