President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday said Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new non-governmental agency called the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). The acronym Doge is a nod to Musk’s favourite cryptocurrency, dogecoin.
Mr Trump pledged that the pair would help him 'dismantle' government bureaucracy and 'slash excess regulations, cut wasteful spending, and restructure Federal Agencies.'
It is not clear how the organisation will operate. It could come under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which dictates how external groups that advise the government must operate and be accountable to the public. Federal employees are generally required to disclose their assets and entanglements to ward off any potential conflicts of interest, and to divest significant holdings relating to their work. Because Mr Musk and Mr Ramaswamy would not be formal federal workers, they would not face those requirements or ethical limitations.
Mr Musk posted on X: “Department of Government Efficiency. The merch will be (fire emojis).” Later, he added: “Threat to democracy? Nope, threat to BUREAUCRACY!!!”
Mr Musk has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Mr Trump won the presidential election. The president-elect has often said he would give Mr Musk a formal role overseeing a group akin to a blue-ribbon commission that would recommend ways to slash spending and make the federal government more efficient. Mr Musk at one point suggested he could find more than 2 trillion dollars in savings — nearly a third of total annual government spending.
Mr Trump had made clear that Mr Musk would likely not hold any kind of full-time position, given his other commitments. Mr Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Mr Trump. Mr Trump said in his statement the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies”.
Musk and Ramaswamy’s Goals for the Department of Government Efficiency
The department is expected to work with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to implement large-scale structural reforms and create an entrepreneurial approach to government. The department is expected to be in operation until July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This will send shockwaves through the system.
Elon Musk's Influence on Government Efficiency
Elon Musk is a well-known entrepreneur and innovator who has made a name for himself in the tech world. He is the founder of Tesla, SpaceX, and The Boring Company, and has become known for his outspoken views on government inefficiency.
Musk has a history of being critical of government regulations and bureaucracy. He has argued that the government is often slow and inefficient, and that it stifles innovation. Musk's involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency is likely to be a controversial one, as he is known to be a vocal critic of the government. His appointment has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising his commitment to streamlining government operations and others expressing concern about his potential conflicts of interest.
Vivek Ramaswamy's Role in the Department of Government Efficiency
Vivek Ramaswamy is a biotech entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate. He is the founder of Roivant Sciences, a pharmaceutical company that develops new drugs. Ramaswamy has also been a vocal critic of government overreach and has advocated for a more limited role for government in the economy.
Ramaswamy's experience in the business world is likely to be valuable to the Department of Government Efficiency. He has a track record of success in the private sector, and he is known for his entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving. Ramaswamy's appointment is likely to be seen as a sign that Trump is serious about his commitment to reducing the size and scope of government.
How Will DOGE Work?
It remains unclear how the Department of Government Efficiency will function and how it will be structured. The department is likely to be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which outlines the rules for external groups that advise the government.
However, as Mr. Musk and Mr. Ramaswamy will be working outside the government, they will not be subject to the same ethical limitations as federal workers. They will not be required to disclose their assets or to divest themselves of any holdings that could present conflicts of interest.
The Future of Government Efficiency
The Department of Government Efficiency is a bold initiative that could have a significant impact on the federal government. It is expected to be a challenging and complex endeavor, but it could also be a rewarding one. The success of the department will depend on the ability of Mr. Musk and Mr. Ramaswamy to work effectively together and to convince the government to adopt their recommendations.
The department's work is likely to be closely watched by both supporters and critics of Trump's administration. It will be interesting to see how the department is able to operate and whether it is able to make a real difference in the way the government functions.
Conclusion: A Threat to Bureaucracy, Not Democracy
Elon Musk's involvement in Trump's administration has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised his willingness to take on the challenge of reforming the government, while others have expressed concern about his potential conflicts of interest.
Despite these concerns, it is clear that Musk is a force to be reckoned with. His commitment to government efficiency is unwavering, and he is likely to be a significant player in the Trump administration. Only time will tell whether he will be able to deliver on his promises.
