The first task of the Ministry of Government Effectiveness was itself: it now belongs to a single leader.
Vivek Ramaswamy is no longer on the commission championed by President Donald Trump, officials confirmed hours after the Republican took office Monday, leaving billionaire Elon Musk to lead the cost-cutting operation alone.
Ramaswamy, a biotechnology entrepreneur who sought the GOP nomination for president in 2024, announced his intention to run for governor of Ohio next year. A Cincinnati native, Ramaswamy, 39, had expressed interest in Vice President J.D. Vance’s recently vacated Senate seat before Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine chose Lt. Gov. Jon Husted as Vance’s successor .
“Vivek Ramaswamy played an essential role in helping us create DOGE,” Anna Kelly, a spokesperson for the commission, said in a statement. “He intends to run for office soon, which requires him to stay out of DOGE, based on the structure we announced today. We thank him immensely for his contributions over the past two months and hope that he will play a vital role in making America great again. »
WATCH MORE: Musk and Ramaswamy meet with lawmakers to build support for cutting government programs
Trump chose Musk and Ramaswamy to lead DOGE, a non-governmental task force charged with finding ways to lay off federal employees, cut programs and gut federal regulations — all part of what the new president calls his “Save America” program for his second term. .
Musk’s involvement in particular has raised ethical concerns because SpaceX, the company he founded and led, has huge defense contracts and competes for NASA business. His electric car company Tesla and other business interests could also benefit from Trump’s decisions in office.
Ambitious efforts to reduce the size and scope of the federal government have historically been met with resistance when the public faces cuts to trusted programs that millions of Americans depend on for jobs, health care, their military security and daily needs.
Ramaswamy, one of the world’s richest millennials, made his fortune in biotechnology before turning to politics. He rose to prominence on the right as a fierce critic of identity politics and programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
He has positioned himself as a thought leader in Trump’s populist “Make America Great Again” movement. He supported Trump in the GOP primaries after finishing fourth in the early Iowa caucuses.
