WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he has selected tech mogul Elon Musk, known as the richest person on the planet, along with former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to spearhead a new initiative called the “Department of Government Efficiency.” This department aims to significantly reduce federal government spending, eliminate waste, and minimize regulations.

Trump stated that this commission will work collaboratively with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to initiate substantial reforms within the federal government. Their work is expected to be completed by July 4, 2026, at the latest.

“These two remarkable Americans will help my administration dismantle bureaucratic red tape, reduce unnecessary regulations, cut wasteful spending, and reorganize federal agencies— vital components of the ‘Save America’ initiative,” Trump said in a statement.

During his 2024 campaign, Musk expressed interest in a role leading the proposed “Department of Government Efficiency,” jokingly referred to as DOGE after the cryptocurrency he promotes. The 53-year-old, who founded SpaceX and serves as the CEO of Tesla, has claimed he could potentially remove $2 trillion from the federal budget, though he has not detailed how he would achieve this.

Trump mentioned that the initiative led by Musk and Ramaswamy could be considered “the Manhattan Project of our era.” However, he did not share any specific information regarding the department’s size or budget apart from naming its leaders.

It appeared from Trump’s comments that the department would function more like an advisory group rather than a traditional federal agency, implying it wouldn’t have any legal authority. It was also unclear if Musk and Ramaswamy would be compensated for their roles.

“A smaller, more efficient government with reduced bureaucracy will be a tremendous gift to America as we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of The Declaration of Independence. I have full faith in their success!” Trump stated.

Although Musk has not worked for the federal government in the past, his companies hold numerous contracts worth billions with government entities, including those in the space and military sectors. This has raised alarms among watchdog groups about potential conflicts of interest that could arise from his fiscal strategies and his influence on Trump.

“This will shake things up and target anyone involved in government waste, which is unfortunately many people!” Musk remarked in a statement released by Trump’s transition team.

After Trump’s announcement, Musk shared a message on X, the platform he owns: “Threat to democracy? Nope, threat to BUREAUCRACY!!!”

Musk mentioned that the department aims for complete transparency by sharing its actions online and encouraging the public to provide feedback on cost-saving strategies. He added, “We will also create a leaderboard for the most outrageously wasteful uses of taxpayer money, which will surely be both tragic and entertaining.”

Ramaswamy, who is 39 and a biotech entrepreneur, previously sought the Republican nomination in 2024 but became a close associate of Trump. During his campaign, Ramaswamy called for the elimination of several federal agencies, including the FBI, the Department of Education, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

“Republican leaders have aspired to the goals of the ‘DOGE’ for years,” Trump said, noting that the new department will implement a novel entrepreneurial mindset in government operations.

Trump initially suggested the creation of an efficiency commission during a speech at the Economic Club of New York on September 5. He indicated that this commission would undertake a comprehensive review of federal government finances and performance and make recommendations for improvements.

Critics have claimed that Trump and Musk aim to dismantle essential government protections across various sectors, such as education and the environment, and eliminate thousands of governmental jobs.

“Having Musk and Ramaswamy lead a non-existent efficiency department would be amusing if not for the serious implications,” stated Brett Hartl, government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Elon Musk may think wealth can circumvent the rule of law and our democratic processes, but we will ensure that each reckless initiative against crucial environmental protections and any illegal attempts to undermine government employees will fail.”

Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, which advocates for consumer rights, criticized the phrase “cutting red tape,” suggesting it is a euphemism for dismantling essential safeguards in favor of corporate gain.

“The aim of government regulations is to safeguard the American populace,” Gilbert said. “These regulations are vital for protecting our air, water, workers, children’s safety, and much more.”

Democratic lawmakers ridiculed the initiative. “The Office of Government Efficiency is off to a roaring start with two leaders instead of one to handle the tasks,” remarked U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., on X. “This seems REALLY efficient.”

Musk has been a major supporter of Trump over the past few months of the 2024 campaign, contributing more than $100 million, including controversial daily payments of $1 million to voters in seven key states. He has since taken on the role of informal advisor to Trump.

This article covers various foreign and domestic policy matters, including Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

Musk gained attention for allegedly participating in an initial phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, raising inquiries about his significant influence in the new administration. “A star is born,” Trump remarked in his victory speech about Musk.

According to a CNN report, Trump and Musk have been frequently seen together at Mar-a-Lago, where Musk is advising on the administration’s transition, policies, and team selection.

Adding to the complexity, the Wall Street Journal reported on October 25 that Musk has maintained regular communication since late 2022 with a main U.S. rival – Russian President Vladimir Putin. Musk has not replied to requests from YSL News for comments.

“I am eager for Elon and Vivek to implement changes in the Federal Bureaucracy with a focus on efficiency while enhancing the lives of all Americans,” Trump stated. “Crucially, we aim to eliminate the enormous waste and fraud present in our annual $6.5 trillion government budget.

“They will collaborate to rejuvenate our economy and ensure that the U.S. government is responsible to ‘WE THE PEOPLE,'” Trump added.