GrapheneOS devs can't access your devices and each update is signed off by multiple parties working for GrapheneOS. They even removed all his access once they noticed his absence. If any code had been pushed by someone else in his name, they would've known already and disclosed as much. If you're having issues, check the forums or see if there's a pending update you haven't installed yet. If nothing else helps, check reset options in system settings (take a backup beforehand!) - you can just reset networking or some app preferences instead of doing a full factory reset.

If people are expressing concerns I am going to wonder too. Thanks for clsrifying. Hopefully all of that is so. I was told by GOS at some point updates happen automatically and there is nothing for me to install.

GrapheneOS isn't compromised, the developer never had access to the signing infrastructure to push his own updates or code without peer review. Hacked devices also don't need to be buggy. A hack showing signs of change or compromise to the user is a pretty terrible hack and is something an attacker would avoid. Most people targeted under an attack wouldn't even know it happens until it's too late. If you're having issues with buggy components, or crashes, I recommend sending them to one of our support channels or emailing logs at GrapheneOS dot org. Users often don't report them directly to us despite us having open alpha/beta testing periods.