President Donald J. Trump announced the appointment of entrepreneur Elon Musk and conservative businessman Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the newly created Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE), a key component of the administration’s efforts to streamline federal operations and reduce wasteful government spending.

Charged with a mandate “Dismantle the Government Bureaucracy, Reduce Excessive Regulation, and Reconfigure Federal Agencies,” the DOGE initiative is set to be a cornerstone of the Save America agenda.

In a statementMusk described the initiative as one that would “send shockwaves through the system” and expressed a commitment to identify and address government waste.

The restructuring efforts, which President Trump has likened to a “Manhattan Project” for modern government, aim to instill a “private sector mentality” within federal agencies, a view long held by Republican policymakers.

The Department for Government Efficiency will operate with guidance from outside the traditional government sphere, working closely with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to implement major reforms designed to increase transparency, accountability, and cost efficiency across all government functions.

Trump outlined the program’s ambitious timeline, targeting July 4, 2026 — America’s 250th Independence Day — as a completion date. “A leaner, more efficient government will be the ideal gift for our country’s milestone anniversary,” Trump stated, expressing confidence in Musk and Ramaswamy’s ability to “make life better for all Americans” by reducing the pervasive waste and fraud of the $6.5 trillion federal budget.

What to know

Musk took to X, the social media platform he owns, to confirm his commitment to “maximum transparency,” pledging to document DOGE’s actions online.

“Whenever the audience thinks we’re cutting something important or not cutting something wasteful, just let us know!” Musk posted, adding that he plans to introduce a “ranking for the worst spend of your tax dollars.”

Ramaswamy, who also reacted to the appointment on X, echoed Musk’s sentiment, declaring: “We’re not going to go easy @elonmusk,” followed by an American flag emoji.

• It remains unclear how DOGE will function within the official structure of government advisory roles. If it falls under the Federal Advisory Committee Law, DOGE will be required to uphold standards of transparency and public accountability. However, because Musk and Ramaswamy will not be federal employees, they will not face the typical asset disclosure or conflict of interest requirements imposed on government workers.

• Musk, who has consistently promoted the efficiency initiative — along with his acronym “Doge,” inspired by the popular cryptocurrency and Shiba Inu meme — has also called for a comprehensive audit of federal finances and agency performance. “DOGE will provide the complete financial and performance audit of the federal government.” Trump said, “recommending the drastic reforms we need.”

• Since the announcement, Dogecoin has more than doubled in value, supported by investor expectations of a more favorable regulatory environment. Tesla shares also rose about 30% after the election.

Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate, shifted his support to Trump after dropping out of the Republican primary race last year. Known for his aggressive corporate cost-cutting initiatives, he recently championed conservative layoffs and hires at BuzzFeed. Ramaswamy’s lack of formal government experience aligns with Trump’s goal of bringing an entrepreneurial ethos to federal reform.

Trump said DOGE’s work would end by July 4, 2026, with the goal of creating a “smaller and more efficient government” for the nation’s 250th anniversary.

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