In an article in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), billionaire Elon Musk stated that he and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy would focus on reducing federal regulations and implementing reforms in the operation of the administrative system.
"We are entrepreneurs, not politicians. We will serve as outside volunteers, not as officials or federal employees," Musk and Ramaswamy informed WSJ, marking the first time the two announced details of their leadership role in the Government Performance Agency (DOGE).
DOGE is expected to operate as an advisory group rather than an official department. This group will compile a list of regulations for President Trump to unilaterally abolish.
"When the president nullifies thousands of regulations, there will certainly be accusations of overstepping executive power. The reality is that this aims to correct previous overreaches when regulations were enacted without going through Congress," Musk and Ramaswamy explained.
The two entrepreneurs emphasized that cutting regulations would not only streamline the administrative apparatus but also pave the way for significant reductions in personnel within federal agencies, while aiming to cut government spending by more than $500 billion.
The reduced expenditures could include many funding sources for public broadcasting (radio, television) and international aid.
DOGE is expected to create change in the federal government, but will also face many political obstacles, including from Republican members, and legal challenges.
However, Musk and Ramaswamy expressed confidence that the Supreme Court, with a 6-3 conservative majority, would help advance this ambitious agenda.
"With support from voters and a conservative majority on the Supreme Court, DOGE has a historic opportunity to downsize the federal government," the two emphasized.
DOGE aims to complete its mission by July 4, 2026, which is seen as the "deadline" for the project.
Elon Musk's growing closeness to President-elect Donald Trump not only creates hope but also raises concerns about conflicts of interest.
The South African billionaire has spent over $100 million to support Trump's campaign and frequently appears at rallies.
However, the relationship between the two, built on strong personalities and sometimes differing policies, may face challenges as they enter the political reality.
Recently, Musk invited Trump to attend a SpaceX flight test, demonstrating the increasingly close relationship between the two parties.
However, with Musk's businesses needing to maintain relationships with the U.S. government and foreign countries, this new role raises questions about transparency and accountability in policy decisions.
