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A White House official has confirmed to Fox News that a young employee nicknamed "Big Balls" has stepped down from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), marking a significant shift within the agency. The employee, identified as Edward Coristine, revealed during an interview with Fox News Anchor Jesse Watters that his quirky nickname originated from his LinkedIn profile.
"I use it as my LinkedIn username," Coristine shared with Watters, eliciting laughter from the host and DOGE leader Elon Musk, who was present during the discussion. "People on LinkedIn take themselves very seriously, and I wanted to be different. I honestly didn’t think anyone would notice," he added, poking fun at the overly professional nature of the platform.
Staffing Changes at DOGE Amid Musk’s Departure
Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old college student and software developer, faced criticism from Democrats and liberal commentators during DOGE’s early investigations into government waste and fraud. Critics were particularly concerned about a young employee with a humorous nickname having access to sensitive government records.
In his interview, Coristine discussed his efforts to analyze payment data from the U.S. Treasury Department, revealing numerous outgoing payments that lacked clear information about their recipients and purposes. "One of our initiatives is to root out fraud and waste, and we started looking at the payment systems. Unfortunately, there’s no accounting for many of these transactions," Coristine explained. "For instance, you might see a line item for $20 million, but there’s no clarification on what that money is being spent on."
The Need for Transparency in Government Spending
Coristine emphasized that the current system for distributing taxpayer money lacks essential checks and accountability, creating opportunities for fraud and waste. His resignation follows just weeks after Elon Musk stepped down from his position, which has prompted additional staff changes within DOGE.
Musk’s tenure at DOGE began when President Donald Trump took office in January, with the department tasked to slash $2 trillion from the federal budget by reducing spending, programs, and the workforce. Despite ambitious goals, DOGE has achieved approximately $180 billion in savings through asset sales, contract cancellations, and fraud reduction efforts, translating to about $1,118 in savings per taxpayer, according to the latest updates from DOGE.
What Lies Ahead for DOGE?
As DOGE navigates these staffing changes, the future direction of the department remains uncertain. The agency’s role in investigating wasteful government spending continues to be a focal point in discussions about fiscal responsibility.
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This report was contributed by Fox News Digital’s Gabriel Hays and written by Greg Wehner, breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital. For story tips and ideas, reach out to Greg at Greg.Wehner@Fox.com or follow him on Twitter @GregWehner.
