Musk and Ramaswamy to Lead Effort to Reshape Federal Bureaucracy

The Department of Government Efficiency aims to cut regulations, reduce federal workforce, and challenge entrenched systems under Trump's second term.

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have been tasked by President-elect Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory body focused on reducing federal spending and regulations.
The initiative seeks to eliminate regulations deemed unlawful under recent Supreme Court rulings, including West Virginia v. EPA and Loper Bright v. Raimondo, which limit agencies' rulemaking authority.
DOGE plans to identify the minimum staffing levels required for federal agencies to meet constitutional and statutory obligations, potentially leading to significant workforce reductions.
Proposals include requiring federal employees to return to in-office work five days a week, which Musk and Ramaswamy predict will result in voluntary resignations and cost savings.
Critics warn that the initiative may face legal challenges, particularly over potential conflicts with Congress' power of the purse and laws restricting presidential impoundment of funds.