Vivek Ramaswamy won’t serve in the department of government efficiency (DOGE), the White House announced on Monday. President Donald Trump had picked him to lead the department alongside billionaire Elon Musk last November, but Ramaswamy decided to part ways.
The reason: Ramaswamy, the Indian-origin entrepreneur who sought the GOP nomination for president in 2024, has signaled plans to run for governor of Ohio next year. The announcement of his split came shortly after Trump was sworn in as United States President for a second term.
“Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE,” Anna Kelly, a spokesperson for the commission, 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 2 months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again.”
DOGE is a nongovernmental task force tasked with finding ways to fire federal workers, cut programs and slash federal regulations. All of this is part of Trump’s “Save America” agenda for his second term.
When Trump picked Ramaswamy and Musk in November, he exuded confidence in the duo and said, “Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies – Essential to the ‘Save America’ Movement.”
Musk and Ramaswamy “will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies,” Trump had said in a statement.
WHAT RAMASWAMY SAID
Ramaswamy, while confirming the same, also mentioned that he will reveal his plans about Ohio soon, “It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE. 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. Most importantly, we’re all-in to help President Trump make America great again!”
Ramaswamy rose to prominence on the right as a fierce critic of identity politics and programs that advance diversity, equity and inclusion. He endorsed Trump in the GOP primary after finishing fourth in Iowa’s leadoff caucuses.
The Ohio native was rumoured as a possible pick to replace Vice President JD Vance in the US Senate before Buckeye State Gov. Mike DeWine tapped Lt. Gov. Jon Husted for the role.