DOGE (or: the Elmo Show)

[Cooke]

@NerdAlert

A lot of people really like DOGE.

Folks like Liz Truss like it. Maybe she is hoping Elon will fund her UK political comeback but Brits will never give her a second chance.

Former British PM reveals which Trump department is perfect 'playbook' for...

[The_Polymath]

hahaha god she is such a lunatic

Textbook case of the Dunning-Kruger effect.

[colonelsmoothie]

So what’s everyone’s take on how long this will go on? Will DOGE end with the Trump administration, or will Elon keep wreaking havoc after that? Now that billionaires know they can buy their way into the executive branch, will Elon be succeeded by another one, like Zuck…or Bezos?

[ArthurItas]

Per above, FBI says not to respond to the email about weekly accomplishments. DOD also says not to respond

Parts of State Department and HHS also bow out

Apparently other parts are asking people to comply. This will be a cluster next week.

[The_Polymath]

@ArthurItas

Apparently other parts are asking people to comply. This will be a cluster next week.

An additional problem is that these sort of mass emails are perfect to disguise a sophisticated phishing attack.

Russian and Chinese intelligence must be having a field day right now.

[The_Polymath]

This example of one of the probationary firings just crossed my feed.

It makes you so angry. They are destroying the lives of so many people that contribute so much.

344 days. That’s how long I served as Chief of the Autism, ADHD, and Externalizing Disorders Interventions Research Program at NIMH before being illegally terminated—just 21 days before completing my probationary period.

On Friday, I was told to expect a termination letter at 4 PM, after which my access to government systems and email would be immediately cut off. I was warned to download it immediately, because I would need it to file for unemployment before losing access.

I spent Valentine’s Day glued to my computer. 4 PM came. Then 5. Then 9. Nothing.
Finally, at 4:54 PM on Saturday, it came.
“Unfortunately, the Agency finds that you are not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge, and skills do not fit the Agency’s current needs, and your performance has not been adequate to justify further employment at the Agency.”

This—despite a stellar performance review weeks ago.
This—despite receiving an NIMH Director’s Award.
This—despite being recruited SPECIFICALLY for my subject matter expertise in autism and neurodevelopmental disabilities, clinical trials, and community-based effectiveness research.

After two decades in academic research and advocacy, I was hired to help develop ways to get low-cost, evidence-based mental health care into schools and community settings—so ALL kids could access specialized treatment, not just those with private insurance or parents who could take time off work.

When I left Children’s National, I left behind:

• A tenured associate professor career
• Five active large-scale grants
• 40+ peer-reviewed publications
• A school-based EF curricula I ran through two clinical trials, now used in 15+ districts
• A journal editor position
• A community of the best, most brilliant, selfless colleagues and friends I deeply respect

Life as a woman in science and academia is brutal, but I was part of a mission-driven community—one that fights for fundamental human rights and values differences as assets, not liabilities.

I didn’t take the move to NIMH lightly—I went because I believed in shaping the future of autism and mental health research, impacting policy, and ensuring that science actually reaches the communities that need it most. And I LOVED my job. I found that same community in my division.

Because at the end of the day - EVERY child deserves access to mental health care.
Not just those who can afford it.
Not just those in the “right” zip code.
Not just those who fit neatly into a system built for a select few.

[stochiki]

I just saw Elon’s signature for the first time. Makes me feel much better about my own.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Elon_Musk_Signature.svg

[Maphistos_Sidekick]

His signature is approximately the same squiggle as my own!

[Snikelfritz]

Lol mine is almost identical

[ArthurItas]

Trump administration moves ahead with firing 2,000 USAID workers, with...

[The_Polymath]

But Suzanne Summerlin, a labor attorney, said an “astounding” level of “fraud, waste and abuse” had been occurring as the Trump administration sought to overhaul a string of departments and agencies.

“These firings they’re conducting without following the law will result in hundreds of thousands of former federal employees being owed back pay, plus interest, plus benefits, plus attorneys fees,” said Summerlin. “When the bill comes it will be monumental.”

Trump administration’s mass firings could leave federal government with...

[Fish_Actuary]

I’m assuming they’ll just use an executive order or a compliant Congress to make it go away.

[ArthurItas]

Perhaps the bigger problem will be contracts canceled midterm, including some where services were already performed. There are a lot of angry vendors with signed contracts, and there will be lawyers.

[dr_t_non-fan]

They all, when kids, for the sheer enjoyment they felt inside, probably tore wings off of flies.

[twig93]

@ArthurItas

There are a lot of angry vendors with signed contracts, and there will be lawyers.

A lot of newly unemployed lawyers, formerly for the federal government and/or military who know how government works and where all the chinks are in the armor.

[SredniVashtar]

Nah, in 4 years we will elect a new octogenarian to undo every single thing Trump did, including every order, hiring, firing, department, law, tariff, agreement, alliance, deportation, war, and treaty.

[dr_t_non-fan]

@SredniVashtar

…war, and treaty.

Good duo, IMO.

Wait, …

[Gonzo]

fire ‘em. fire ‘em all. then give me my $5k

[The_Polymath]

[ArthurItas]

Idiots

FDA moves to rehire medical device, food safety and other staffers fired days...