Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla, has announced his intention to step back from his role at DOGE, the controversial organization that has attracted scrutiny and speculation since its inception. During a recent earnings call, Musk expressed his desire to devote more time to Tesla, suggesting that he believes the "major work of establishing" DOGE is complete. This announcement has been met with a variety of responses from federal workers who are keenly aware of Musk's influence in both the tech and political realms.

In light of Musk's statement, many employees at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) voiced their desire to see an end to the weekly emails mandated by Musks DOGE office, which have been a requirement since February. One IRS employee candidly asked, "Can we stop sending this weekly email now?" This sentiment reflects a broader skepticism among federal workers about whether Musk will truly relinquish his influence over the White House. Despite his plans to pull back, many believe that Musks legacy, including significant cuts to the federal workforce and budget, will linger.

As a special government employee, Musk is legally restricted to working with the Trump administration for a maximum of 130 days each year. Nevertheless, the federal workers who spoke with Business Insider are not convinced that he will completely fade from political attention. One programmer at the IRS articulated their doubts, stating, "Ill believe it when I see it. I believe the richest man in the world has hacked his way into the most powerful government in the world, and there is nobody to stop him from keeping that access, even if he looks 'gone' on paper." This sentiment highlights the mistrust some employees feel toward Musks intentions.

Several workers from different federal agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Office of Personnel Management, shared their skepticism regarding Musks announcement. An employee from OPM suggested that Musk's vow to step back seemed more like "PR spin" than a genuine retreat.

Interestingly, many federal workers agreed that even if Musk steps away from DOGE, the impacts of his actions will persist within the government and its workforce. One employee explained, "The effect he's had on the federal government can't be as neatly defined as quarterly earnings reports." This perspective reflects an unease about the influence of private sector figures like Musk on public institutions.

Concerns about job security have surfaced among federal employees, particularly in light of reports indicating that DOGE and Musk have access to sensitive governmental information, which raises questions about privacy and data security. A number of employees expressed anxiety stemming from DOGE's approach to workforce reductions, which has included mass firings labeled as targeting "low performers." Many federal workers, including those who previously supported Trump's efforts to streamline the government, felt betrayed by these abrupt dismissals.

A Department of Agriculture employee expressed frustration with how Musks team has handled the downsizing, stating, "There is a methodical way to downsize, and I'm all for right-sizing to meet current events. The way Musk and his team have handled and are continuing to handle the situation is harmful to federal workers (who are real people with families), harmful to American institutions, and ultimately harmful to the American public." This comment underscores the emotional toll that workplace uncertainty can have on employees.

Despite the prevailing concerns, some federal employees hope that Musks reduced involvement may provide temporary relief regarding job security. In discussing the day-to-day implications of Musks potential exit, several workers shared their hopes that it might signal an end to his infamous "five bullets" email system, which requires employees to report on their weekly activities. One employee from the Social Security Administration lamented the inefficiencies of this requirement, stating, "I have to look and research and see what I didthat's 10 minutes wasted. I could be spending my time more efficiently doing other things." This illustrates the frustration workers have felt under Musks oversight.

During the Tesla earnings call, Musk indicated that he would continue to allocate one or two days a week to government matters, contingent on their usefulness to the president. When asked about Musk's potential pullback during an Oval Office meeting, President Trump praised Musk, calling him "an incredible guy" and lauding his contributions both to the campaign and to DOGE. However, neither Musk nor Trump provided further details about Musk's future role.

The anticipated shake-up at DOGE follows troubling financial reports from Tesla, which revealed a significant drop in earnings for the first quarter. The companys earnings per share plummeted by 71%, while revenue fell by 9% year over year. Musk had previously indicated that his involvement in the White House was "costing me a lot" and that he was facing difficulties in managing his business operations. Following the news of his potential retreat from political duties, Teslas stock saw an increase of over 5% in after-hours trading, highlighting the market's positive reception to this shift.

In summary, while Musk's announcement may lead to a change in his direct involvement with DOGE and its operations, the ramifications of his leadership style and policies continue to resonate among federal employees. The complexities of integrating business practices into government operations remain a contentious topic, and many are left to ponder the long-term effects of Musks tenure at DOGE.