Fourteen months ago, a group of young, inexperienced technologists—many between the ages of 19 and 24—were handed the keys to the American federal bureaucracy. Operating under Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), this cadre was tasked with dismantling perceived waste and fraud. While the organization itself has since dissolved, its legacy is not merely a matter of policy; it is etched into the very structure of the US government through massive layoffs and the dismantling of entire agencies.
The “strike force” approach used by DOGE has left a profound impact: over 300,000 federal workers have been terminated, agencies like the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have been gutted, and essential services—from Social Security assistance to global humanitarian aid—have faced significant disruptions.
Despite descriptions of the organization as “chaotic” and its failure to meet many stated goals, the operatives themselves have not disappeared. Instead, they have transitioned into roles of heightened influence, moving between high-level government positions and the private sector, often returning to the Silicon Valley ecosystem that birthed them.
The New Power Players: From Government to Private Industry
The following profiles track where key DOGE members have landed, illustrating a pattern of movement between federal oversight and private-sector interests.
The Technologists and Strategists
- Edward “Big Balls” Coristine: One of the youngest members at just 19, Coristine operated across numerous agencies, including the SSA and the State Department. After a period of instability following Musk’s departure, he has emerged as the engineering lead at the National Design Studio. He reportedly continues to assist in efforts to identify organizations for “fraud” investigations.
- Gavin Kliger: Formerly of Databricks, Kliger transitioned from an advisory role at the OPM to becoming the Chief Data Officer at the Department of Defense. His involvement has extended to high-level negotiations with AI companies like Anthropic, highlighting the intersection of DOGE’s mission and national security.
- Jeremy Lewin: A former lawyer and investment banker, Lewin played a central role in the dismantling of USAID. He moved into the State Department as undersecretary for foreign assistance, where he helped reshape humanitarian aid, advocating for a model where “the best foreign assistance is that which ends.”
The Private Sector Shift: Startups and Defense
A significant number of DOGE operatives have pivoted to the private sector, often launching ventures or joining firms closely tied to the “Musk universe” or major venture capitalists.
- Nate Cavanaugh & Justin Fox: After leading the takeover of the US Institute of Peace and the Interagency Council on Homelessness, the duo has launched Special, an AI-focused crypto investment platform. Their website notably features imagery of Elon Musk and Javier Milei.
- Bridget Youngs: Following her tenure at the Department of Labor—where she claimed to lead actions resulting in $25 billion in savings—Youngs founded Terminus Industrials. The company focuses on manufacturing power transformers for data centers and draws talent from companies like Tesla.
- John Solly: A software engineer who worked with the SSA’s “Death Master File,” Solly transitioned to Leidos, a major government contractor, as Chief Technology Officer for their health IT division. His tenure at the SSA was marked by whistleblower allegations regarding the handling of sensitive data, though he denies any wrongdoing.
- Ashley Boizelle: After serving as senior counsel to the President, Boizelle joined Hadrian, a defense and space manufacturing startup backed by Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund.
- Adam Ramada & Brooks Morgan: Ramada, who previously had access to networks involving the US nuclear weapons program, worked across the DOL and Department of Energy. Both individuals have since moved into the private sector.
The Recruitment Link
- Amanda Scales: Moving from Musk’s xAI to the OPM as Chief of Staff, Scales has maintained a foot in both worlds. She currently serves as a contractor for the OPM to assist with recruitment while maintaining a partnership at Arsenal Pulse, a firm that represents Musk-affiliated companies like The Boring Company.
Context: Why This Matters
The movement of these individuals highlights a growing trend of technocratic governance, where young, non-traditional actors exert rapid, disruptive influence over established institutions. The transition of these operatives into private-sector roles—particularly in defense, AI, and data management—raises critical questions about the “revolving door” between government oversight and the industries being regulated.
The legacy of DOGE is not just in the jobs lost, but in the new network of influence being built between Silicon Valley’s disruptors and the machinery of the US state.
Conclusion: While the formal structure of DOGE has vanished, its personnel continue to wield significant power. By moving from roles of disruption to roles of leadership in both government and the private sector, these operatives have ensured that the DOGE philosophy remains deeply embedded in the American political and economic landscape.
