Vivek Ramaswamy has stepped down from his leadership role in Doge, a non-governmental organization he co-led with Elon Musk. Former President Donald Trump appointed Ramaswamy to the position in November, tasking him with assisting in the mission to "make America great again." Ramaswamy's resignation came just hours after Trump's inauguration on Monday, leaving Musk as the sole leader of the organization.
Doge was designed to streamline government operations and cut costs significantly. Musk has indicated that the program could potentially reduce federal spending by "at least" $2 trillion. However, the organization has been under scrutiny since its inception, facing lawsuits alleging violations of federal transparency rules concerning disclosure, hiring, and other practices. Despite these legal challenges, the public interest law firm National Security Counselors has recognized Doge as a "federal advisory committee fairly balanced" in its representation.
"Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE." – Anna Kelly
Ramaswamy's departure was reportedly due to a disagreement with Musk over the tech industry's capacity to hire foreign-born workers. Additionally, Doge's structure necessitates that its leaders remain outside the organization if they plan to run for elected office. At 39, Ramaswamy has expressed intentions to run for Ohio governor following his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race after an underwhelming performance in the Iowa caucuses.
"He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE, based on the structure that we announced today." – Anna Kelly
On X, formerly known as Twitter, Ramaswamy reflected on his time with Doge, stating:
"It was my honor to help support the creation of Doge. I’m confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government. I’ll have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio. Most importantly, we’re all-in to help President Trump make America great again!" – Vivek Ramaswamy
The transition leaves Elon Musk as the sole figure in charge of Doge’s ambitious cost-cutting initiative. As Doge continues its mission, Musk’s leadership will be crucial in navigating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.