What is DOGE? Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy's plan to dismantle government bureaucracy under Trump

World News: US President-elect Donald Trump has made a bold move by selecting tech billionaire Elon Musk and businessman-turned-politician Vivek Ramaswamy to spearhead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in his upcoming administration. This department, which will be central to Trump's efforts to "drain the swamp," is tasked with radically cutting government waste and streamlining federal bureaucracy. The announcement was made on Tuesday, as Trump moves closer to finalizing key cabinet positions for his presidency, set to begin in January 2025.

Trump's Vision: Slashing Waste and Bureaucracy

In a statement outlining the new appointments, Trump emphasized that the creation of DOGE will be a game-changer for the US government, with Musk and Ramaswamy leading the charge to reduce excessive regulations and wasteful spending. Trump described the duo as “wonderful Americans” who will be instrumental in dismantling the bloated structure of federal agencies. He also labeled the mission as a pivotal part of the "Save America" Movement, focusing on efficiency and accountability.

“This will send shockwaves through the system, and anyone involved in government waste, which is a lot of people!” Musk remarked, echoing his commitment to cleaning up Washington. Trump further compared the creation of DOGE to the "Manhattan Project of our time," underscoring the scale and ambition of the task ahead. The new department is expected to oversee drastic reductions in the US government's $6.5 trillion annual budget by targeting waste and fraud across various agencies.

Vivek Ramaswamy's Shift in Focus

In a related development, Ramaswamy, who was previously a contender for a Senate seat in Ohio, announced via social media that he would withdraw from the race to focus on his new role in Trump's cabinet. "I will help them however I can," Ramaswamy said, signaling his commitment to tackling government inefficiency.

Musk’s Bold Budget Cuts

Musk has long been vocal about his ability to cut government expenditures, previously claiming that he could reduce the federal budget by at least $2 trillion. Such massive cuts, however, may involve significant reductions to popular entitlement programs, including Social Security, Medicare, and veterans’ benefits—plans that would undoubtedly stir significant political debate.

Trump’s Expanding Cabinet: John Ratcliffe to CIA

The appointment of Musk and Ramaswamy to head DOGE comes alongside other significant nominations, including former director of national intelligence John Ratcliffe, who is tapped to lead the CIA in Trump's forthcoming administration.