Government Efficiency Department explained: What Trump calls ‘the Manhattan Project of our time’
Musk, Ramaswamy tapped for role cutting govt waste
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the newly-created "Department of Government Efficiency," thought it is not a formal government agency. FOX 5's Linda Schmidt has more on what this advisory team could mean for the Trump administration.
NEW YORK - President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Elon Musk will lead the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a non-governmental commission focused on reducing waste and cutting federal bureaucracy.
Working alongside Musk will be entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, as part of Trump’s effort to bring private sector strategies into the federal system.
See full list of Trump's cabinet here.
Trump described DOGE as central to his vision of a leaner, more accountable government.
"I look forward to Elon and Vivek making changes to the Federal Bureaucracy with an eye on efficiency and, at the same time, making life better for all Americans."
The commission’s main goal, Trump says, is to "liberate our economy, and make the U.S. Government accountable to ‘WE THE PEOPLE.’" The deadline for DOGE to deliver results is July 4, 2026, to celebrate the country’s 250th Independence Day.
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The 'Manhattan Project’
Trump has high hopes for DOGE, comparing it to "The Manhattan Project" of this era.
The original Manhattan Project, led by scientists J. Robert Oppenheimer and General Leslie Groves, was a secret World War II research effort to develop nuclear weapons.
Trump hopes DOGE will achieve equally transformative results for the government. The project resulted in two types of atomic bombs during the war.
Trump Cabinet Picks: Musk, Hegseth, Noem, and more
President-elect Donald Trump is moving quickly to fill his cabinet, unveiling new picks that signal his administration's top priorities. Among his announcements, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are set to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, aiming to cut bureaucracy and waste. Other key appointments include John Ratcliffe as CIA Director, Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary, and Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary.
Musk welcomed the challenge, adding, "This will send shockwaves through the system—and anyone involved in Government waste, which is a lot of people!" Later, he posted on X about DOGE’s acronym, which aligns with his favorite cryptocurrency, Dogecoin: "Department of Government Efficiency. The merch will be
Trump previously hinted that Musk might oversee a commission to reduce government spending, and Musk has claimed he could help cut up to $2 trillion from the federal budget. His extensive experience running efficient operations at Tesla and SpaceX aligns with Trump’s goal for DOGE.
Ramaswamy, an advocate for a smaller federal government, is expected to assist in tackling regulatory complexities in Washington. Together, Musk and Ramaswamy will focus on identifying areas where the government can reduce spending without impacting essential services.
The Associated Press reported, however, that DOGE might be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which would require DOGE to operate with transparency and accountability, including making reports accessible to the public.
In his statement, Trump said, "They will work together to liberate our Economy and make the U.S. Government accountable to 'WE THE PEOPLE.' Their work will conclude no later than July 4, 2026—a smaller Government, with more efficiency and less bureaucracy, will be the perfect gift to America on the 250th Anniversary of The Declaration of Independence. I am confident they will succeed!"