President-elect Trump names Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head the new Department of Government Efficiency, aiming to cut bureaucracy and waste.
[dropcap]U[/dropcap]nited States President-elect Donald Trump has appointed tech billionaire Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
This department aims to tackle bureaucratic inefficiencies, cut wasteful government spending, and streamline federal regulations.
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The announcement, made on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, was shared by Musk on X, formerly Twitter, early Wednesday.
In a statement, Trump, who defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent 2024 election, explained the department’s purpose:
“I am pleased to announce that the great Elon Musk, working in conjunction with American patriot Vivek Ramaswamy, will lead the Department of Government Efficiency (‘DOGE’).
Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excessive regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies.”
The Department of Government Efficiency, an ambitious project reminiscent of the “Manhattan Project” in scale, will work closely with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to drive “large-scale structural reform.”
Trump sees the department as key to fulfilling his administration’s “Save America” agenda, aiming to create an unprecedented entrepreneurial approach within the US government.
Trump further expressed confidence in Musk and Ramaswamy, noting that their mission will focus on reducing the $6.5 trillion in annual government spending by rooting out waste and fraud.
“They will work together to liberate our economy and make the US government accountable to ‘We the People,’” Trump stated.
The initiative is expected to culminate on 4 July 2026, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, symbolising a “perfect gift” to Americans: a smaller, more efficient government.
Musk, known for his leadership of X, Tesla, and Starlink, is a prominent supporter of the Trump administration, donating $75 million to pro-Trump efforts during the campaign, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur and political figure, shares Trump’s vision of reduced federal oversight and an innovative, streamlined government structure.
In addition to Musk and Ramaswamy’s appointments, Trump has named key figures to other roles within his administration, including Lee Zeldin as Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor, and Susie Wiles as White House Chief of Staff.
This sweeping reform initiative signals a bold approach by the incoming administration to redefine American governance, potentially reshaping the federal landscape with a focus on efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and innovation.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
