Mark Cuban Urges Ex-18F Employees to Launch Consulting Firm

Entrepreneur Mark Cuban has encouraged former employees of the 18F agency to establish a consulting firm, offering his investment and support.

What Happened: On Sunday, Cuban shared his thoughts on the BlueSky social platform, addressing the recently laid-off staff from 18F, a technology unit within the government. He proposed that these individuals come together to start their own consulting business.

In his post, he stated, “It’s just a matter of time before DOGE needs you to fix the mess they inevitably create. They will have to hire your company as a contractor to fix it. But on your terms. I’m happy to invest and/or help.”

On Saturday, the Donald Trump administration disbanded a team of tech-savvy civil servants who were pivotal in creating the IRS’s free tax-filing service and enhancing government websites. Thomas Shedd, Director of Technology Transformation Services at the General Services Administration (GSA) and a former Tesla engineer, informed the digital service team at 18F that their roles were eliminated due to being deemed “non-critical.” Nearly 85 employees were locked out of their devices as a result.

This decision was part of a workforce optimization initiative managed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk.

The 18F unit was launched in 2014 under former President Barack Obama.

see also: Jamie Dimon Critiques ‘Inefficient’ US Government, Supports Elon Musk’s DOGE Initiative

Why It Matters: Cuban’s post comes in response to 18F’s abrupt closure, a move that has generated significant debate. His comments suggest he believes DOGE will eventually require the expertise of the former 18F employees to resolve future issues. Cuban’s offer to invest and assist in the formation of a consulting firm underscores his confidence in their skills and the importance of their work.

Proponents of DOGE defend it as a means to cut unnecessary spending, while critics argue it disrupts vital services and faces considerable legal hurdles. A report from The Guardian notes that DOGE has revoked over 1,100 federal contracts, with almost 40% resulting in no actual cost savings. Additionally, a Wall Street Journal analysis suggests the department may have exaggerated its savings from federal budget reductions.

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Disclaimer: This content was partly produced using AI tools and has been reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.