Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and former GOP presidential candidate, has confirmed his departure from the newly formed government efficiency commission known as DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency). Ramaswamy, who played a significant role in supporting the creation of DOGE, expressed confidence in Elon Musk and the team leading the initiative. “I’m confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government. I’ll have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio,” Ramaswamy shared on X, formerly Twitter.
Future Political Aspirations in Ohio
According to the Associated Press, Ramaswamy is planning to run for governor of Ohio in the upcoming election. A Cincinnati native, the 39-year-old entrepreneur had previously shown interest in filling Vice President JD Vance’s Senate seat. However, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine appointed Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted to the position, prompting Ramaswamy to shift his political ambitions to the gubernatorial race.
Anna Kelly, a spokesperson for DOGE, acknowledged Ramaswamy’s contributions to the commission. “Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE,” Kelly said in a statement. “He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE, based on the structure that we announced today. We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last two months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again.”
DOGE is a key component of former President Donald Trump’s “Save America” agenda, aimed at reducing federal jobs, cutting programs, and eliminating regulations. Both Musk and Ramaswamy were originally tapped to spearhead the initiative, which seeks to streamline government operations and increase efficiency. However, Ramaswamy’s departure leaves Musk at the forefront of the task force.
Ethical Concerns Surrounding Musk’s Involvement
Musk’s role in DOGE has raised ethical concerns due to his extensive business interests. SpaceX, Tesla, and other companies led by Musk have significant government contracts, which could present potential conflicts of interest. SpaceX, in particular, holds substantial defence contracts and competes for NASA projects, raising questions about Musk’s influence on regulatory decisions that could benefit his business ventures.
Efforts to reduce the size of the federal government have historically faced opposition, particularly when cuts impact essential services such as healthcare, military programs, and employment initiatives. While Trump’s initiative aims to eliminate inefficiencies, public resistance to potential service reductions remains a key challenge.
As one of the wealthiest millennials globally, Ramaswamy built his fortune in the biotech industry before entering the political arena. He gained prominence among conservatives for his opposition to identity politics and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. A strong advocate for Trump’s populist “Make America Great Again” movement, Ramaswamy endorsed Trump after finishing fourth in the Iowa caucuses during the GOP primary.
Vivek Ramaswamy’s decision to exit DOGE underscores his growing political ambitions in Ohio. While he remains committed to supporting Trump’s efforts to “Make America Great Again,” his focus now shifts to the gubernatorial race, where he aims to bring his business acumen and conservative ideals to state leadership.