Donald Trump announced on November 12, 2024, that he has selected Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to head a new initiative aimed at drastically reforming government operations.

The newly established Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), a non-governmental advisory body, will work closely with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to overhaul the federal bureaucracy, cut waste, and reduce regulations.

In a statement, Trump said that Musk and Ramaswamy would provide “advice and guidance” from outside the government to drive “large-scale structural reform” and bring an “entrepreneurial approach to government.”

Musk and Ramaswamy to Head Department of Government Efficiency

The goal, according to Trump, is to “dismantle government bureaucracy,” slash unnecessary regulations, and restructure federal agencies to make them more efficient.

Musk’s Focus on Transparency and Cost-Cutting

Musk, who owns the social media platform X, pledged to document the entire reform process on the platform for “maximum transparency.”

He also announced that the department would maintain a “leaderboard for most insanely dumb spending of your tax dollars,” allowing the public to weigh in on cuts they believe should be made.

Ramaswamy, who dropped out of the Republican primary race in 2024 and later endorsed Trump, also responded enthusiastically to the announcement on X, stating, “We will not go gently, @elonmusk,” signaling his commitment to aggressive reforms.

Questions Over Structure and Accountability

Despite the ambitious plans, questions remain about the structure and operational transparency of Doge.

As Musk and Ramaswamy will not be formal federal employees, they would not be subject to the same conflict-of-interest rules or disclosure requirements as government officials.

Some critics have raised concerns over the potential for conflicts of interest, especially given Musk’s significant business interests in sectors that could directly benefit from deregulation, including electric vehicles, space exploration, and artificial intelligence.

The Department of Government Efficiency will conduct a comprehensive audit of federal spending and performance, with Musk having previously called for a reduction in government spending by $2 trillion.

However, the practical implications of such massive cuts remain unclear, particularly when considering the potential for deregulation in areas impacting Musk’s own companies, such as Tesla, SpaceX, and X.

A Radical Approach to Government

The creation of Doge is seen as a bold attempt to reshape government efficiency along the lines of corporate management strategies, similar to the approaches Musk has taken with his businesses.

It reflects Trump’s ongoing commitment to reducing the size and scope of the federal government, a core part of his policy platform.

However, this initiative has been met with criticism from various quarters. Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, a progressive consumer rights group, argued that Musk’s lack of experience in government efficiency and regulation, coupled with his business’s history of regulatory violations, makes him an inappropriate choice for such a role.

The Road Ahead

Musk and Ramaswamy’s work is expected to conclude by July 4, 2026, with Trump aiming for a more efficient and streamlined government in time for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

While the specifics of their plan remain to be seen, the partnership is likely to have significant implications for government operations and for Musk’s business ventures.