But tensions quickly surfaced. The turning point came with a $3.8 trillion spending bill that clashed with the department’s goals. The executive, increasingly disillusioned, began hinting at frustration in interviews. By late May, they officially resigned, citing the end of their term but offering thinly veiled criticism of the administration’s fiscal direction.

Subtle Farewell, Loud Implications

The resignation post on X thanked the President but felt impersonal. Retweets that followed criticized recent spending policies, suggesting a deeper rift than the official narrative let on. The move sparked political fallout, with opponents calling it a sign of dysfunction and supporters framing it as a planned transition.

A Bigger Question Remains

The short-lived partnership raised doubts about whether tech’s fast-moving, top-down mindset can coexist with the slow grind of government. The DOGE office remains active but leaderless, while the departing executive returns to private ventures, hinting that “the best way to fix a system… is to build a new one.”

In the end, the resignation signals more than a failed experiment—it underscores the challenges of real reform in a system resistant to change.