Government Efficiency

One of President-elect Trump’s novel initiatives for his second administration is the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by government outsiders Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.

Musk is the founder of Tesla and SpaceX, and the owner of X, formerly Twitter. Ramaswamy is also an entrepreneur and was previously a primary rival of Trump.

DOGE’s overarching strategy will emphasize modernization, deregulation, and a streamlined, tech-driven approach to governance.  Notably, without Congressional approval, DOGE will work only in an advisory capacity without annual appropriations. If the DOGE does end up as a federal advisory committee, it must follow the law requiring ethics disclosures and public meetings.

Among the federal agencies at the most significant risk of disruption from the Department of Government Efficiency’s recommendations are the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Education, the Department of Energy, and the Internal Revenue Service. Ramaswamy also recently stated that some federal agencies may be “deleted outright.”

The programs that observers, advocates, and reporters believe are most primed for cuts by Musk and Ramaswamy include:

• The Department of Justice;
• Veteran’s health care;
• Housing assistance;
• NASA;
• Drug development and opioid addiction treatment;
• Federal education spending, including early childhood program Head Start;
• Healthcare and student loan programs;
• The State Department; and
• International security programs.

The concept of a government efficiency commission is well-trodden territory. President Ronald Reagan had the President’s Private Sector Survey on Cost Control (PPSSCC), or Grace Commission, established in 1982. In 1993, President Clinton launched the National Partnership for Reinventing Government or National Performance Review, which aimed to make the government “work better, cost less, and get results Americans care about.” Vice President Al Gore led that 5-year effort.

DOGE’s Potential Impact

A significant focus would be on a technological overhaul, spearheaded by Musk’s background in innovation and efficiency. Musk’s influence would likely drive DOGE to prioritize the use of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics. The aim would be to replace cumbersome bureaucratic processes with faster, AI-powered solutions, reducing labor costs and increasing the speed of government services. For instance, there could be a strong push to digitize all federal services, making interactions with the government entirely online and app-based, similar to Musk’s vision of integrating technology into everyday life. Additionally, Musk’s data-driven approach would likely promote the use of analytics to optimize decision-making, cut down on waste, and ensure that every government action is based on empirical evidence.

Ramaswamy’s participation would strongly emphasize aggressive deregulation and free-market principles. Ramaswamy is known for his criticism of excessive government interference, and he would likely advocate for a dedicated task force within the Department to systematically identify and eliminate outdated regulations. His approach would aim to reduce bureaucratic barriers, particularly in industries where overregulation is seen as stifling innovation, such as energy, pharmaceuticals, and technology. In line with his free-market ideology, Ramaswamy would likely promote public-private partnerships, leveraging the expertise and efficiency of private companies to handle services traditionally managed by the government.

DOGE could also pursue a strategy of decentralization, influenced by both Musk’s and Ramaswamy’s views on reducing the concentration of power in Washington, D.C. Musk’s interest in decentralizing work, combined with Ramaswamy’s vision of minimizing the federal government’s footprint, might lead to a push for relocating certain federal agencies to other parts of the country. This initiative would aim to dilute the influence of the central bureaucracy and bring government operations closer to the people they serve.

Accountability and performance metrics would be central to the Department’s strategy. Musk’s “first principles” thinking would likely influence a rigorous, metrics-based approach to evaluating the efficiency of government operations. DOGE would set ambitious targets for each agency, closely monitor their progress, and use data to make real-time adjustments. Ramaswamy’s focus on meritocracy would support policies to reform the federal workforce, making it easier to fire underperforming employees and rewarding those who meet or exceed expectations. This approach would bring a level of efficiency similar to that seen in the private sector.

Ramaswamy’s entrepreneurial background and experience in biotech and finance would likely shape the Department’s approach to cutting red tape and streamlining approval processes for government projects. He would push for a simplified, fast-tracked system that reduces typical bureaucratic delays, making it easier for innovative projects to get off the ground. Musk’s philosophy of “move fast and break things” could complement this, encouraging a more experimental approach where new policies are implemented quickly and adjusted as needed, rather than waiting for lengthy approval processes.

One potential innovation could be the launch of a new Government Efficiency Platform (GEP), inspired by Musk’s tech ventures. This open-source platform would allow the public to track the Department’s progress in real-time, providing transparency and enabling citizens to offer feedback and suggestions. The platform might also be used to crowdsource ideas to improve efficiency and tap into the creativity and problem-solving skills of the broader population.

Reforming the civil service system would be a major priority for both Trump and Ramaswamy, who have criticized what they see as the entrenched “deep state.” DOGE might pursue significant changes to civil service protections, making it easier to replace long-term employees who are seen as resistant to reform.