The Ministry of Government Efficiency’s first task was itself: it now falls to a leader.
Vivek Ramaswamy is no longer part of the commission championed by President Donald Trump, officials confirmed hours after the Republican took office on Monday, leaving billionaire Elon Musk to run the cost-cutting operation alone.
Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur who sought the Republican nomination for president in 2024, has announced he will run for governor of Ohio next year. Cincinnati native Ramaswamy, 39, had expressed interest in Vice President JD Vance’s recently vacated Senate seat before Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine chose Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to replace Vance.
“Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in the creation of DOGE,” Anna Kelly, a spokeswoman for the commission, said in a statement. “He intends to run for elected office soon, which will require him to remain outside of DOGE based on the structure we announced today. We thank him very much for his contributions over the last two months and expect him to play a critical role in making America great again.”
Trump tapped Musk and Ramaswamy to lead DOGE, a non-governmental task force that Trump has tasked with finding ways to lay off federal workers, cut programs and slash federal regulations – all part of what the novel president calls his “Save America.” “Agenda for his second term in office.
Musk’s involvement in particular has raised ethical concerns because SpaceX, the company he founded and leads, has immense defense contracts and competes for contracts from NASA. 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 faced resistance when the public is confronted with cuts to trusted programs that millions of Americans rely on for jobs, health care, military security and everyday needs.
Ramaswamy, one of the world’s richest millennials, made a fortune in biotechnology before turning to politics. On the right, he rose to prominence as a fierce critic of identity politics and programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
He has positioned himself as a mastermind of Trump’s populist “Make America Great Again” movement. He supported Trump in the GOP primary after finishing fourth in the Iowa caucuses.
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Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa, and Cooper reported from Phoenix.
