The Department of Government Efficiency, commonly known as DOGE, made a significant move by choosing to retain only a single leader. Just as former presidential candidate and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy exited his post as one of the co-heads, an important transition began. His decision came mere hours after US President Donald Trump started his second term, leading to Elon Musk assuming the sole leadership role in the advisory group to drive forward cost-cutting initiatives.
A New Chapter In Ohio
Ramaswamy’s departure signifies the onset of a fresh chapter in his political journey. He expressed his gratitude to DOGE for its role in helping kickstart the group and reminisced about his experiences there, which he shared on social media on January 21. Though he hasn’t revealed his next steps, he hinted that an announcement would come soon.
"It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE. I’m confident that Elon & his 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!” — Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) January 20, 2025
Insiders suggest that Ramaswamy is preparing to run for governor in his native Ohio, a decision that couldn’t be timelier as Governor Mike DeWine’s term wraps up in early 2027. If Ramaswamy enters and wins the race, he’ll likely become a key player in Ohio politics and a rising star within the Republican Party.
Tensions Within DOGE Before His Exit
Ramaswamy’s exit from DOGE might not have been entirely smooth. There have been whispers about growing friction between him and Elon Musk, centered around differing priorities. In December, Ramaswamy posted a comment criticizing aspects of American culture, which reportedly didn’t resonate well with Musk. Close contacts describe their professional dynamic as strained, pointing out that Musk finds Ramaswamy’s dual focus on DOGE and political aspirations untenable. These tensions, combined with DOGE’s rule against participation in political campaigns, made his resignation almost certain.
DOGE Downsized Ambitions
Initially aiming to slash the federal budget by $2 trillion, DOGE has faced scrutiny for revising its target to $1 trillion. Musk defended the adjustment, deeming it a “realistic” objective, although it has sparked questions about the group’s effectiveness. The Department of Government Efficiency was created recently by Donald Trump, perhaps hinting at Musk’s fondness for the cryptocurrency, Dogecoin.
A Turning Point
Opinions are divided on Ramaswamy’s farewell to DOGE; some view it as a calculated maneuver toward a political future, while others perceive it as a retreat. Nevertheless, Ramaswamy remains committed to the mission of revisiting and revitalizing America, especially with the Ohio governor election in 2026 looming on the horizon.
Image credits to Bloomberg, and chart sourced from TradingView.
