A bold initiative aims to reduce government bureaucracy and streamline federal spending
President-elect Donald Trump announced plans on Tuesday for his incoming administration to create a new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a unique initiative led by tech billionaire Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. The move aims to overhaul federal spending, eliminate bureaucratic waste, and bring a streamlined approach to government operations.
“This department will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies,” Trump declared in a statement posted on Truth Social.
Trump, who recently secured a second term, emphasized his confidence in Musk and Ramaswamy’s ability to lead this ambitious mission. “I look forward to Elon and Vivek making changes to the federal bureaucracy with an eye on efficiency and, at the same time, making life better for all Americans,” he added.
What is DOGE?
Details surrounding the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, remain limited. Trump clarified that DOGE will not function as a formal federal agency but rather as an external advisory body, working closely with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget. DOGE’s mission, Trump noted, is “to drive large-scale structural reform, creating an entrepreneurial approach to government never seen before.”
This initiative comes as part of Trump’s long-standing campaign promise to enlist Musk in a government role. Speaking at the Economic Club of New York in September, Trump credited Musk with inspiring the idea to “create a government efficiency commission.”
In a previous post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk responded enthusiastically, saying, “I look forward to serving America if the opportunity arises. No pay, no title, no recognition is needed.”
Musk pledges transparency, aims to spotlight “dumb spending”
On Tuesday, Musk outlined his vision for DOGE, promising full transparency for all initiatives. “All actions of the Department of Government Efficiency will be posted online for maximum transparency,” Musk posted on X. He also invited public feedback: “Anytime the public thinks we are cutting something important or not cutting something wasteful, just let us know!” Musk added a proposal for a “leaderboard” to highlight instances of “insanely dumb spending” of taxpayer dollars, calling it “both extremely tragic and extremely entertaining.”
Ramaswamy sees DOGE as a critical step in streamlining federal agencies
Vivek Ramaswamy, who previously campaigned for the GOP presidential nomination, will focus solely on DOGE. He announced on Tuesday he would be “withdrawing myself from consideration” to fill the Ohio Senate seat of Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is responsible for appointing Vance’s replacement until a special election in 2026.
Ramaswamy, known for advocating significant cuts to government spending, sees DOGE as a critical step in streamlining federal agencies. During his presidential campaign, he proposed eliminating entities like the FBI, Department of Education, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission—ideas that align with Trump’s contemplation of cutting the Department of Education.
DOGE, set to take effect as part of Trump’s second administration, has sparked considerable interest, particularly given Musk and Ramaswamy’s prominence in business and technology. Trump’s campaign did not provide further details but is expected to outline specific priorities for the new department ahead of the inauguration.