President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday the formation of a new advisory group, the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), to be led by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The unique, non-governmental entity has been established with the explicit mission to bring what Trump calls “an entrepreneurial approach” to revamping the federal government, slashing unnecessary spending, and dismantling bureaucratic structures.
While the name “Department of Government Efficiency” may imply a formal federal agency, Trump emphasized that DOGE is not a government department and will operate outside the traditional bounds of federal oversight. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to dogecoin, a cryptocurrency favored by Musk, and reflects both the irreverent style Musk often brings to his ventures and the unorthodox approach Trump’s administration plans to apply to government reform.
“This initiative will shock the government system,” Trump said in a statement, adding that the DOGE team, in partnership with the Office of Management and Budget, would advise the White House on “large-scale structural reform.”
The establishment of DOGE raises questions about how it will function, the scope of its influence, and the extent of transparency and accountability it will follow. Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, non-government groups that advise federal agencies are generally required to operate with transparency and public accountability. Still, because DOGE’s leaders are not classified as federal employees, it remains uncertain whether they will be required to adhere to these standards.
Trump has repeatedly voiced admiration for Musk’s entrepreneurial spirit and cost-cutting expertise, indicating that he would enlist Musk’s help in identifying vast savings in the federal budget. During a rally in Michigan last September, Trump mentioned Musk as a potential ally in curbing waste, joking about Musk’s limited availability: “I don’t think I can get him full-time because he’s a little bit busy sending rockets up and all the things he does.” But, Trump added, “He said the waste in this country is crazy. And we’re going to get Elon Musk to be our cost cutter.”
According to sources familiar with the new advisory entity, Musk’s role within DOGE is likely to focus on technology-driven efficiencies and regulatory reform, particularly in sectors such as energy, transportation, and defense procurement, areas where Musk’s ventures already have significant influence.
Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and political figure known for his hardline stance against government overreach, will bring a focus on regulatory restructuring. Having suspended his own presidential campaign in January and endorsed Trump, Ramaswamy has advocated for scaling back the “deep state” and minimizing government intervention in markets. Observers expect that his involvement in DOGE will center on streamlining federal agencies, reducing duplicative oversight, and cutting what he has referred to as “bureaucratic bloat.”
In his statement, Trump said, “Musk and Ramaswamy will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.”
Despite Trump’s enthusiasm, questions abound regarding the operational model of DOGE and its compliance with ethical standards. Because DOGE leaders are not federal employees, they would not be bound by federal ethics and conflict-of-interest requirements, which typically include asset disclosures and divestments. These requirements are designed to prevent potential conflicts and ensure transparency, and the DOGE arrangement, as currently described, may sidestep them entirely.
For an organization that could wield influence over significant budgetary and regulatory decisions, this lack of mandatory financial disclosure has raised eyebrows among ethics experts. Although Musk and Ramaswamy will have no direct authority over federal agencies, their “advice and guidance” to the White House, especially in collaboration with the Office of Management and Budget, could shape decisions on issues with far-reaching implications.
Should DOGE’s work fall under the purview of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, it would require the organization to operate transparently, with regular meetings and public documentation of its recommendations. However, Trump’s use of an external advisory group that operates outside the formal government structure adds a layer of ambiguity, potentially allowing DOGE to evade such regulatory expectations.
Following Trump’s announcement, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to tease his involvement in DOGE. His initial post read, “Department of Government Efficiency. The merch will be 🔥🔥🔥.” He followed up with another post stating, “Threat to democracy? Nope, threat to BUREAUCRACY!!!” Musk’s comments underscore his longstanding frustration with governmental inefficiencies and his often rebellious approach to addressing institutional challenges.
A prominent figure in Silicon Valley, Musk has frequently clashed with regulatory bodies. Whether disputing the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or questioning the Environmental Protection Agency’s guidelines, Musk has consistently advocated for deregulation and has been vocal about the pitfalls of “red tape.” His role within DOGE aligns with his public image as a disruptor and may help to advance Trump’s agenda to cut through federal bureaucracy.
Ramaswamy’s addition to DOGE signals Trump’s interest in reshaping government through a pro-business lens. The former biotech executive and author has openly criticized federal agencies, calling for a substantial reduction in their influence. In his 2021 book, Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America’s Social Justice Scam, Ramaswamy critiques both corporate and governmental overreach and advocates for minimizing administrative controls that he argues have stymied innovation and growth.
Ramaswamy’s experience with regulatory and business policy, combined with his political aspirations, provides a unique perspective to the DOGE project. He is expected to focus on reviewing federal regulations and agencies for redundancies and inefficiencies. Given his track record and ideology, Ramaswamy’s approach to governmental reform will likely prioritize free-market principles and reduced intervention.
The announcement of DOGE has sparked polarized reactions among lawmakers, policy experts, and the public. Supporters of the initiative argue that Musk and Ramaswamy’s leadership could usher in a long-overdue modernization of the federal government. By drawing on private sector expertise, Trump’s administration aims to leverage the efficiency and cost-effectiveness associated with entrepreneurial approaches.
Critics, however, express concern about the possible consequences of an external advisory group with potentially sweeping influence yet limited transparency. Legal and ethical scholars question how DOGE’s leaders will navigate conflicts of interest, especially given Musk’s ownership of multiple companies that could benefit from deregulation or budget reallocations in certain sectors.
“If this group is advising on federal spending, yet its leaders are not required to disclose conflicts or divest from holdings that may benefit, it raises legitimate concerns about oversight and accountability,” said Dr. Karen Dunham, a political science professor and ethics expert at Georgetown University.
Others are skeptical about whether the goals of DOGE can realistically be achieved. Streamlining government and reducing spending have been challenging targets for previous administrations, and the sheer scale of federal bureaucracy means that meaningful cuts would require comprehensive legislative support.
While Trump’s establishment of DOGE has sparked excitement and trepidation, the initiative may face substantial hurdles. Potential legal challenges could arise from watchdog groups or members of Congress who may question whether DOGE’s operations align with federal laws governing advisory bodies. If classified as a federal advisory committee, DOGE would be required to follow transparency mandates and public accountability measures.
The viability of DOGE may also depend on its reception in Congress. Legislators on both sides of the aisle are likely to scrutinize the group’s methods and outcomes, especially if DOGE’s recommendations translate into proposed budget cuts or regulatory rollbacks that impact key programs.
The creation of DOGE is indicative of Trump’s broader agenda for his new term. With a focus on slashing costs, dismantling bureaucracy, and realigning the federal government with a business-minded approach, Trump aims to deliver on his promise of a streamlined government.
The involvement of high-profile business leaders like Musk and Ramaswamy could lend DOGE the star power and credibility needed to influence public opinion. However, as with any major federal reform initiative, the path forward will require navigating legal, ethical, and political challenges.
“This is an experiment in applying private sector principles to the public sector on an unprecedented scale,” said Dr. Emily Richards, a policy analyst at the Brookings Institution. “If successful, DOGE could redefine how future administrations approach government reform. But if it falters, it may serve as a cautionary tale.”
As Trump prepares to assume office, the nation watches to see how the DOGE initiative will unfold. For now, DOGE symbolizes both the potential and the controversy of infusing government with entrepreneurial expertise. Whether this unprecedented experiment will achieve its mission to “shock the system” remains to be seen.
