Entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has announced his departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), leaving Elon Musk as its sole leader. Ramaswamy is reportedly gearing up for a run for governor of Ohio, with his announcement expected soon.
Ramaswamy Steps Away from DOGE
In a January 20 post on X, Ramaswamy confirmed his exit, saying, “It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE. I’m confident that Elon and the team will succeed in streamlining government.” He hinted at more updates in the near future while reaffirming his support for President Donald Trump.
According to DOGE spokesperson Anna Kelly, Ramaswamy’s decision aligns with DOGE’s structural rules, which require individuals seeking elected office to remain independent of the organization.
Ohio Governor Run on the Horizon?
Several major media outlets, including CBS News and The New York Times, have reported that Ramaswamy is preparing to enter the Ohio governor’s race. With Governor Mike DeWine’s second and final term ending in January 2027, Ramaswamy could position himself as a pro-crypto Republican candidate.
Ramaswamy had already fueled speculation about his gubernatorial ambitions on January 18, when he shared a parody X post suggesting he should run for Ohio governor, commenting, “Not a bad idea.”
Musk Takes Sole Control of DOGE
Elon Musk now stands as the sole leader of DOGE, an advisory body established by President Donald Trump through an executive order on his first day in office. DOGE, named after Musk’s favorite cryptocurrency, Dogecoin, was designed to slash federal spending through budget cuts and staff reductions.
However, DOGE has faced immediate legal challenges. Consumer advocacy group Public Citizen and other nonprofits filed lawsuits minutes after Trump’s inauguration, claiming DOGE violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act by allowing private individuals to influence government decisions without sufficient oversight.
Tensions Leading to Ramaswamy’s Departure
According to Politico, Musk had recently pushed for Ramaswamy’s removal from DOGE. A Republican strategist close to Trump’s advisers suggested that Ramaswamy’s controversial criticisms of American culture, including remarks about the hiring of foreign workers, had alienated key figures in Washington and at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
Ramaswamy’s December X post blaming the “veneration of mediocrity over excellence” for tech companies hiring foreign talent reportedly added fuel to the fire.
