President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to co-lead a new Department of Government Efficiency. Announced on Tuesday, this department aims to streamline government operations and curb bureaucratic waste. Trump said that Musk and Ramaswamy would focus on “dismantling bureaucracy, slashing regulations, and restructuring federal agencies.”
This new department will operate outside of formal government structures, so Musk’s role will not require Senate approval. Musk will continue leading Tesla, SpaceX, and X, while serving in his new advisory role.
A Republican Vision for Less Bureaucracy
Trump emphasized that the department is a key step toward realizing long-held Republican goals of minimizing government involvement. The department will collaborate with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to bring what Trump described as “entrepreneurial approaches” to federal operations. The goal is to complete this work by July 4, 2026, in time for the nation’s 250th Independence Day anniversary.
The appointment of Musk, the world’s richest man, expands his influence in Washington. Musk, who supported Trump’s campaign financially, is expected to leverage his role to benefit sectors he prioritizes, like artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. Financial analyst Daniel Ives from Wedbush Securities noted that this move positions Musk to have “a massive role across federal agencies,” with potential benefits for his business ventures.
Critics Warn of Corporate Corruption
Not everyone supports this decision. Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, criticized the move, stating that Musk lacks government experience and has often clashed with regulations. “This is the ultimate corporate corruption,” she said, arguing that Musk’s role could open doors to weakened oversight of his own businesses.
Trump compared the department’s mission to the World War II-era Manhattan Project, highlighting its transformative potential. Musk also promised full transparency, stating that all actions of the Department of Government Efficiency will be posted online. He encouraged public input and pledged to maintain a “leaderboard” to expose excessive government spending. Musk humorously added that this list would reveal both “tragic” and “entertaining” misuses of tax dollars.
Speaking at a recent Trump rally, Musk claimed the federal budget could be reduced by “at least” $2 trillion, targeting wasteful discretionary spending, including defense expenses.
A Department with a Nod to Cryptocurrency
The new department’s acronym, DOGE, cleverly references Musk’s favored cryptocurrency, Dogecoin. Dogecoin’s value has surged since Election Day, reflecting market hopes for favorable regulatory changes under Trump’s administration.
Ramaswamy, a pharmaceutical entrepreneur and author of Woke, Inc., withdrew from consideration for an open Senate seat in Ohio. He had initially run against Trump in the primaries but later endorsed him. Ramaswamy’s new role in the DOGE department replaces his previous political ambitions, aligning him with Trump’s anti-bureaucratic vision.
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