The recent executive order signed by President Donald Trump, mandating federal agencies to collaborate with the DOGE Service led by Elon Musk, had unintended consequences at the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Despite the order being signed as a mere formality with Trump’s distinctive Sharpie ink signature, its implementation led to the premature termination of a group of probationary employees at the SBA. These employees had initially received termination emails on Friday evening, catching both them and their supervisors off guard.
Confusion ensued until Monday when SBA officials clarified that the termination notices were erroneously issued. However, the situation took a turn on Tuesday following the executive order’s endorsement, and the affected employees received termination notices again, this time with immediate effect.
One source familiar with the situation described the handling of the firings as manipulative, stating, “They seemingly jerked people around like this for the sake of EO choreography.”
Notably, a spokesperson for the DOGE Service did not provide immediate comments on the matter, leaving many questions unanswered.
Prior to this development, Musk, a key figure behind the government downsizing efforts, shared his views in the Oval Office, alongside his son, regarding the purported uncovering of wasteful expenditure by the DOGE Service. Despite claims of significant savings, specifics supporting these assertions were lacking.
During the discussion, Musk acknowledged errors in his previous statements, including misinformation about aid spending in Gaza. However, he emphasized public support for his initiatives, arguing for a shift from bureaucratic control to align with public will.
Response to the executive order was swift, with Everett Kelley of the American Federation of Government Employees criticizing the mass firings as detrimental to government services and accessibility for Americans in need.
As the repercussions of the executive order unfold, questions linger about its true impact on federal agencies and employees across the country.
