DOGE reacts to D.O.G.E. Vivek Ramaswamy, the co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E), has stepped down from his role with heightened speculation about his potential candidacy for Governor of Ohio. The controversial initiative, led by Elon Musk and supported by President Donald Trump, now faces increased scrutiny due to Ramaswamy's exit.
Ramaswamy, appointed to co-lead this contentious body with Musk, announced his departure by stressing a focus on Ohio and a commitment to Trump’s agenda. "It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE," Ramaswamy declared. He assured confidence in Musk's ability to streamline government, while hinting at imminent announcements regarding his political future in Ohio.
This development was further corroborated by national political reporter Taylor Popielarz. Citing a Trump-Vance Transition spokesperson, Anna Kelly, Popielarz confirmed sources indicating Ramaswamy’s gubernatorial aspirations were behind his exit.
"A familiar source confirms to me that Ramaswamy is no longer part of D.O.G.E. because he is announcing his run for governor of Ohio early next week," Popielarz noted.
Despite declining to deny these claims outright, Ramaswamy’s departure was reportedly not entirely of his own accord. Politico sources revealed increasing friction between Musk and Ramaswamy following a contentious social media post in December. In it, Ramaswamy critiqued American work culture, suggesting that the hiring of foreign workers by tech companies was due to an environment that "venerated mediocrity over excellence." Consequently, Musk urged for his removal.
Political insiders have been vocal about the internal dynamics. "Everyone wanted him out. They wanted him out before the tweet — but kicked him to the curb when that came out," one Republican strategist close to Trump disclosed to Politico.
In spite of the controversy, both Trump and Musk have remained devoted to D.O.G.E's mission. The agency, designed to cut federal spending through budget cuts and mass terminations, was mentioned by Trump in his inaugural speech on Monday. Musk, capitalizing on his inherent flair for spectacle, stated his intent to take D.O.G.E. to Mars, impacting Dogecoin sentiment immediately. "We are going to take DOGE to Mars," Musk quipped at the ceremony.
Key figures in the cryptocurrency sector, including Coinbase's CEO Brian Armstrong and Cameron Winklevoss, co-founder of Gemini, have thrown their weight behind D.O.G.E.
Nonetheless, Ramaswamy's exit precipitated a temporary spike followed by a sharp correction of Dogecoin prices, falling over 7% as news of his departure spread. DOGE Price Performance information further detailed this market fluctuation, underscoring the initiative's economic ramifications.
Legal challenges have also beset D.O.G.E., with organizations like the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen and the public interest law firm National Security Counselors filing lawsuits shortly after Trump assumed office. These actions allege breaches of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, with critics condemning D.O.G.E.'s provision for private individuals like Musk to influence government operations absent sufficient transparency or oversight.