President-elect Donald Trump announced that he will establish a new agency called the "Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)" during his second term, to be co-led by tech giant Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. The goal is to reduce government waste, simplify bureaucratic structures, and has generated widespread attention and controversy.
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ToggleThe plan to establish the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
In his statement on Tuesday, Trump said this new department will focus on dismantling government red tape, significantly reducing unnecessary regulations and wasteful spending, and restructuring federal agencies. "These two great Americans will pave the way for my administration to streamline and operate the government at peak efficiency," he said.
However, the operational details of the department remain unclear, particularly whether it will require congressional approval. Even with a Republican-controlled Congress, there may not be enthusiasm for such a large-scale government reform plan. Additionally, Musk's multiple business contracts with the government could raise conflict of interest concerns.
It is understood that the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) will not be an official government agency, but rather an unofficial organization, so Musk and others will not need to disclose assets or recuse themselves.
What are Musk and Ramaswamy's roles in DOGE?
Musk stated that this initiative will "shake up the system" and "take action against those involved in government waste." He also revealed that the department will fully disclose its actions and publish a ranking of the most outrageous tax dollar waste cases.
Ramaswamy simply tweeted: "Shut it down!" echoing his campaign proposal to abolish the FBI, Department of Education, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Ramaswamy said in an interview that DOGE is not just about restoring efficiency, but also about self-governance.
DOGE's goal: Eliminate fraud and waste within six months
Trump had mentioned the idea of this department as early as September in his economic policy announcement, stating that it would develop a plan to eliminate fraud and improper payments within the first six months of his term, saving trillions of dollars in spending. He emphasized that this is the first step in reducing government expenditure and achieving economic goals.
Ramaswamy had previously proposed during his campaign that the president has the authority to directly dismantle federal agencies, further solidifying his reform stance with this appointment.
Doubts arise: Is cutting two trillion dollars really feasible?
Musk had stated during the campaign that he is confident of cutting at least $2 trillion from the $6.5 trillion national budget. However, economists and experts have expressed skepticism. Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers believes finding $200 billion in cuts would be difficult, and former Columbia Business School Dean Glenn Hubbard said, "It's almost impossible unless you touch Social Security, Medicare, and defense."
Concerns from federal unions and critics
Federal employee unions have fiercely criticized the proposal, seeing it as paving the way for mass layoffs. Union president Everett Kelley stated: "Musk and Trump only care about their own interests, not about improving government efficiency or the lives of ordinary Americans." Whether the Department of Government Efficiency will garner widespread support remains to be seen. Critics argue that focusing solely on government waste may not truly address fiscal problems unless it involves major spending areas.
Future prospects of DOGE
In his statement, Trump promised that the work of the Department of Government Efficiency will conclude on July 4, 2026, as a gift to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. He said, "A smaller, more efficient, and less bureaucratic government will be the best gift to America." As the proposal moves forward, whether this ambitious plan can truly be realized remains an open question, but it will undoubtedly bring an unprecedented reform storm to the operation of the U.S. government.
