Vivek Ramaswamy’s departure from the newly formed “department of government efficiency” (Doge) leaves Elon Musk as its sole leader. Ramaswamy’s exit, reportedly stemming from disagreements over immigration policy, is attributed to his upcoming Ohio gubernatorial campaign. Musk, facing ethical concerns due to his companies’ government contracts, now solely oversees Doge, which has already faced a lawsuit alleging violations of federal transparency laws. Ramaswamy expressed confidence in Musk’s ability to streamline government spending.
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President Trump’s executive order rebranded the existing United States Digital Service (USDS) as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), contrasting sharply with initial promises of sweeping bureaucratic dismantling and significant spending cuts. Instead, DOGE will focus on modernizing federal IT infrastructure and workforce reductions, employing small teams to streamline technology and hiring processes across agencies. This shift has drawn criticism, with lawsuits filed alleging prioritization of corporate interests over transparency and worker rights. The initiative includes a ban on remote work for federal employees and revised hiring practices.
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Elon Musk’s purported new government department, often referred to as “Doge,” is reportedly facing significant turmoil with the potential departure of Vivek Ramaswamy. This development throws into question the future of a department designed for government efficiency, raising doubts about its viability even before its official launch.
The possibility of Ramaswamy’s departure stems from his ambition to run for the governorship of Ohio. His focus shift towards this gubernatorial bid, possibly announced by the end of January, is predicted to significantly impact his involvement in “Doge,” potentially rendering his contribution minimal, if at all.
This potential departure might actually benefit Musk.… Continue reading
Vivek Ramaswamy, recently appointed to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with Elon Musk, is expected to leave the position to pursue a gubernatorial campaign in Ohio. Internal friction within DOGE, stemming from Ramaswamy’s perceived lack of participation, contributed to his departure. This follows a failed attempt by Ramaswamy to secure Ohio’s vacant Senate seat. Despite briefly collaborating with Musk on DOGE plans, their partnership proved short-lived.
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Running the government like a business would be a disaster because the fundamental goals are diametrically opposed. Businesses prioritize profit maximization for owners and shareholders, often at the expense of worker well-being and long-term sustainability. Governments, on the other hand, should focus on the well-being and happiness of their citizens, even if it means sacrificing short-term financial gains. This difference in core objectives makes direct comparison misleading and dangerous.
The idea of applying business principles to government often serves as a dog whistle for those seeking to shrink government services and redirect public funds towards private interests. This “streamlining” often translates to cuts to essential programs benefiting the majority, while simultaneously enriching the wealthy through tax breaks and deregulation.… Continue reading
Following the 2024 election, President Trump established the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a presidential advisory committee headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, ostensibly to improve governmental efficiency. However, DOGE lacks real power and authority, existing primarily as a symbolic gesture. Musk’s subsequent online harassment of federal employees, particularly women, suggests a lack of confidence in DOGE’s ability to achieve its stated goals and instead reflects a desire for indirect control through intimidation. This behavior reveals the underlying motivations as less about genuine reform and more about projecting personal insecurities onto those who represent competence and public service. Ultimately, Musk’s actions expose the weakness inherent in such bullying tactics.
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Elon Musk’s involvement in a commission to reduce federal spending creates a significant conflict of interest, as it could lead to cuts in rural broadband funding that would benefit his satellite internet company, Starlink. Starlink has been largely excluded from existing broadband funding due to its slower speeds, but Musk’s influence with the incoming Trump administration could lead to a redirection of funds towards satellite internet. This potential reallocation of funds would violate existing laws and likely trigger legal challenges, yet delays caused by such litigation could significantly benefit Starlink’s market share. Ultimately, this scenario presents a direct conflict between public broadband infrastructure and the financial interests of a private company.
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Despite expressing respect for Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s efforts, former White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney asserts that their newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) lacks statutory authority and is primarily a public relations initiative. While acknowledging DOGE’s goal to improve government efficiency, Mulvaney highlights its inability to enact meaningful change without congressional action or collaboration with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). He emphasizes that the OMB director, Russ Vought, will ultimately hold the most significant influence on DOGE’s success. Therefore, the department’s impact will hinge on its ability to leverage congressional support and OMB cooperation.
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Downsizing the federal workforce faces significant hurdles, including robust civil service protections and collective bargaining agreements. Proposed solutions like Schedule F, while impacting policymaking roles, offer limited fiscal savings. Ultimately, only Congress possesses the authority to drastically restructure the federal government, a power theoretically within the reach of the current Republican majority. However, any such endeavor risks being largely duplicative of existing proposals and ultimately unproductive.
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Following the recent election, President-elect Trump has appointed Elon Musk to lead a newly created “Department of Government Efficiency,” a move widely seen as a quid pro quo for Musk’s campaign support. This contrasts sharply with Vice President-elect Vance’s sidelined role, evidenced by his exclusion from Trump’s inner circle and his unsuccessful attempts to secure Senate confirmations for Trump’s cabinet nominees. Furthermore, Vance’s actions suggest Trump intends to replace the FBI Director, Christopher Wray, before his term expires, another indication of Trump’s disregard for established norms. The Senate Republicans’ response to these actions will determine the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches in the coming years.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood