Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have taken the political stage once again, this time vowing to reshape federal spending through their newly created Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Their recent remarks have ignited conversations about the duo’s intentions and their substantial plans to curb what they describe as excessive government expenditure.
According to Musk and Ramaswamy, who have joined forces under the administration of Donald Trump, they aim to build what they call a "lean team of small-government crusaders." This eclectic group, boasting some of the brightest technical and legal minds currently available, will address the swelling federal bureaucracy they perceive as detrimental to the country.
The newly minted department was officially announced via a co-authored op-ed, where the pair detailed their commitment to slashing government inefficiency. "President Trump has asked the two of us to lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut the federal government down to size," they stated. This is significant, especially as these two high-profile figures come from the business and entrepreneurial backgrounds, diverging from traditional political routes.
Describing the existing federal bureaucracy, the entrepreneurs underscored its expansion as "an existential threat to our republic." They criticized lawmakers for enabling this growth, declaring their unique approach as different from the norm. They expressed, "We are entrepreneurs, not politicians" and emphasized their role as "outside volunteers, not federal officials or employees." This distinction is posited to suggest they will operate with the efficiency and urgency one might expect from business leaders, rather than the often slower pace associated with government bureaucrats.
Their op-ed elaborated on their financial philosophy, stating, "Unlike government commissions or advisory committees, we won’t just write reports or cut ribbons. We’ll cut costs." Musk and Ramaswamy appear poised to introduce sweeping change, focusing on deregulation and efficiency enhancements. This commitment raises questions about the exact regulations they plan to dismantle.
Part of DOGE’s mission will involve working closely with the White House Office of Management and Budget. Musk and Ramaswamy plan to push for three specific reforms: regulatory rescissions, administrative reductions, and overall cost savings. According to them, the changes will prioritize executive action utilizing existing legislation, reducing the necessity to draft new laws—a strategy they believe will streamline the reform process.
The duo highlighted recent Supreme Court rulings as pivotal to their strategy. They referred to two landmark cases: West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency and Loper Bright v. Raimondo. The first ruling affirmed limits on agency regulations concerning major economic questions, effectively curbing their power without explicit Congressional authorization. The latter established the principle of judicial deference, implying courts should not automatically defer to federal agencies’ interpretations of law. Musky and Ramaswamy interpret this as evidence to reassess and potentially nullify existing federal regulations not grounded by Congress.
They aim to leverage these rulings to team up with legal experts embedded within federal agencies, using advanced technology to review and possibly revoke regulations deemed to overstep original Congressional intentions and constitutional bounds. “Together, these cases suggest many current federal regulations exceed the authority Congress has granted under the law,” they asserted.
Citing their ambitious agendas, they claim they will personally present suggestions for regulatory cuts directly to Trump, who would then initiate suspensions and reviews of said regulations by executive action. They assert this strategy would stimulate economic growth by eliminating what they call "illicit regulations"—or regulations allegedly enacted without congressional agreement.
During the discussion, the matter of reducing federal employment surfaced, too. They stated their objective is to align the number of federal employees with the actual tasks needed to execute the constitutional mandates. Intriguingly, they suggest: "The number of federal employees to cut should be at least proportionate to the number of federal regulations nullified." This, according to them, reinforces their belief in the need for fewer employees due to reduced bureaucratic responsibilities.
The pair’s proposals extend to firm requirements for federal employees. They advocate for attendance at offices five days weekly, linking this to their broader vision of accountability. They suggest this would automatically lead to voluntary resignations among those unwilling to comply with these attendance rules, pointedly stating, "If federal employees don’t want to show up, American taxpayers shouldn’t pay them for the COVID-era privilege of staying home." Here, they show no qualms about confronting the culture of remote work established during the pandemic.
Savings on spending is another cornerstone of Ramaswamy and Musk's vision. They signal intentions to reduce funding for Medicaid and Medicare, cut support for Planned Parenthood, cease funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and limit grants to international entities. The duo argues such measures will generate substantial savings for taxpayers, consolidative efforts they believe would resonate well with the electorate.
Recent election outcomes suggest the pair are optimistic about enacting their proposed changes. With Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the Republican Party holding majorities across both congressional chambers, they foresee fewer roadblocks to implementing their initiatives. They also highlighted the current conservative 6-3 majority on the Supreme Court, anticipating it will support the administration's efforts to facilitate their agenda.
"DOGE holds historic opportunities for structural reductions within the federal government," they concluded confidently. The sentiment from their op-ed indicates deep preparation for potential resistance from established interests within Washington. Their final ambitious goal is no small feat: the aim to have eradicated the need for DOGE itself by July 4, 2026—the 250th anniversary of the United States. Ramaswamy and Musk insist this timeframe is not just efficient planning but also embodies their vision of restructuring government to celebrate America’s past and pave the way for its future.
