Trump Announces Creation of Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Taps Musk and Ramaswamy to Lead

Donald Trump, the president-elect of the United States for his second term starting in 2025, has announced plans to create the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new presidential advisory commission. This commission, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, aims to reduce wasteful government expenditures, cut excess regulations, and streamline federal agencies. Musk has suggested that DOGE could potentially save up to $2 trillion, reducing the federal budget by a third, while Ramaswamy has emphasized plans to abolish entire federal agencies and reduce the federal workforce by as much as 75%. Despite the ambitious goals, DOGE’s formation faces a significant challenge, as it lacks the authority to become an official government department without Congressional approval. This proposal has raised concerns, particularly regarding potential conflicts of interest, with Musk’s companies already being federal contractors.

Musk, who is the world’s wealthiest person, has been heavily involved in the political scene, including vocal support for Trump and significant financial contributions to his campaign. Ramaswamy, a former 2024 presidential candidate, also endorsed Trump after suspending his campaign. His views, including strong criticism of new secular ideologies, align with many of Trump’s policy proposals.

DOGE’s name itself is a reference to Dogecoin, the cryptocurrency popularized by Musk, underlining the informal nature of the proposed initiative. Although it may face hurdles in gaining Congressional support, the proposed commission could have a significant impact on government structure and spending if it gains traction.

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November 12, 2024