Trump appoints Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to lead Gov’t Efficiency Dept

US President-Elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will spearhead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency. However, despite the department’s name, it will not be a formal government agency. Instead, Musk and Ramaswamy will operate from outside the government, providing the White House with strategic “advice and guidance” while collaborating with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to drive large-scale reforms.

Trump explained in a statement that the duo’s mission is to radically overhaul government systems by “dismantling bureaucracy, cutting wasteful expenditures, slashing unnecessary regulations, and restructuring federal agencies.” He described the effort as a bold, entrepreneurial approach to government that would fundamentally shake up the status quo.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk, who owns the platform, pledged to maintain full transparency by documenting all the department’s actions online. He invited public scrutiny, stating, “If you think we’re cutting something important or not eliminating something wasteful, let us know!” Musk also promised to feature a “leaderboard for the most insanely dumb spending of your tax dollars.”

Ramaswamy, who is also a former Republican presidential candidate, echoed Musk’s sentiments on X, writing, “We will not go gently, @elonmusk,” along with an American flag emoji.

The operational framework of the department remains unclear. It could fall under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which governs external advisory groups to the government, ensuring accountability and transparency. However, because Musk and Ramaswamy will not be formal federal employees, they are not subject to the same ethical requirements, such as asset disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules.

Musk, who has long advocated for a government efficiency department, has also embraced the agency’s unofficial acronym, “Doge,” referencing the popular Dogecoin cryptocurrency, which he has supported. Trump confirmed that the department will conduct a comprehensive financial and performance audit of the federal government and recommend drastic reforms aimed at reducing inefficiencies.