Washington, December 9, 2024 – Billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have been appointed to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) in the United States, under the administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Their primary responsibilities will include laying off federal employees, cutting government programs, and reducing federal regulations.
The announcement follows a private meeting held last Thursday at the Capitol, where Musk and Ramaswamy discussed their plans with lawmakers. Trump aims to 'dismantle' the federal government as part of his 'Save America' agenda for a second term in office.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, expressed optimism about the initiative, stating it represents a significant start to the process. The duo plans to collaborate with the Office of Management and Budget, led by Trump's candidate Russ Vought, who has previously advocated for budget cuts.
In an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal, Musk and Ramaswamy emphasized the historic opportunity to implement structural reductions in the federal government. They have garnered support from over 50 Republican members and two Democrats in the House.
Despite their lack of public service experience, Musk and Ramaswamy are known for their extensive backgrounds in the private sector. Musk has previously invested millions to support Trump's campaign and has transformed Twitter into X, a platform popular among Trump's supporters.
While the Department of Government Efficiency is not an official government department, it allows Musk and Ramaswamy to operate without the typical ethical and background checks required for federal employment. They have stated they will not receive compensation for their roles.
Public Citizen, a nonpartisan organization, has called for transparency and equitable representation in the advisory processes of the Doge, echoing standards set by previous presidential advisory entities.
The federal budget currently stands at $6 trillion, with a historic deficit of $1.8 trillion. Republicans attribute the deficit to excessive spending, while Democrats point to tax cuts enacted by previous Republican administrations as a significant factor.
Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, expressed interest in having Musk testify about the inflated defense budget and is open to discussing non-defense spending cuts, though he remains skeptical about significant reductions.