US President-elect Donald Trump is shaping up his incoming administration, announcing Elon Musk as the leader of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla, will work with Vivek Ramaswamy, a renowned biotech investor, to drive the agenda.
Trump explained that DOGE’s objective is to “dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies. ”
“This will send shockwaves through the system and anyone involved in Government waste, which is a lot of people,” Trump wrote in a statement released late Tuesday.
Musk was a strong supporter and mega-donor to the Trump campaign. He is expected to bring innovative private-sector expertise to the table of governance.
In a post on his X platform, apparently accepting the appointment, Musk wrote, “Threat to democracy? Nope, a threat to BUREAUCRACY!!!“
Ramaswamy, who previously contested the Presidency at the Republican primaries with Trump before dropping out and endorsing Trump, shares Musk’s passion for the the new assignment. “We will not go gently,” he wrote on his X account, suggesting a rutheless approach to the job.
Ramaswamy has been vocal about his plans to reduce the federal workforce. He says he hopes to fire over 75% of federal employees and dissolve several big government agencies, including the Department of Education, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, to mention but a few.
Trump drew parallels between the DOGE initiative and the Manhattan Project, a top-secret World War II program that developed the first nuclear weapons. T
The President-elect gave Musk and Ramaswamy up to July 4, 2026, to complete the assignment in time for the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence.
“A smaller Government, with more efficiency and less bureaucracy, will be the perfect gift to America,” he said.
The DOGE initiative will operate as an external advisory body, working closely with the White House and the Office of Management & Budget. Musk and Ramaswamy will focus on tackling “massive waste and fraud” in the $6.5 trillion annual government spending.
Musk himself had previously advocated for substantial cuts in government spending, proposing at least $2 trillion in reductions, roughly a third of the government’s budget.
Other Appointments
In addition to Musk and Ramaswamy’s appointments, Trump made other key appointments on Tuesday.
Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and combat veteran, was nominated as Defence Secretary. John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman and federal prosecutor, will lead the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Kristi Noem, the Governor of South Dakota, was tapped as Secretary of Homeland Security.
As Trump’s administration continues to take shape, Trump says he wants to give the Republican Party their age-long dream—a lean small government that is off the backs of American citizens—which no other leader dared actualize until now.
Comment, Like 👍, share this article, and Follow us on our social media handles.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
Congratulations to the duo! A big change in America federal parastatals. I so wished we have such a President of Trump calibre in Nigeria who is decisive, knows what he is doing and is bold against Oppositions.
The job is not a ‘walk in the park’. They are going to trample on many feet to achieve this, but the duo are passionate and grounded in their field. Best wishes to them!