Editors at National Review Online discuss President Trump’s plan for tackling bloated government.
In the frenzy of activity since President-elect Trump won the election, perhaps no move has created more excitement and derision than the decision to tap Elon Musk and entrepreneur-turned-politician Vivek Ramaswamy to head up a newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) tasked with downsizing the federal government. Just a few weeks into existence, the ad hoc entity has inspired merchandise and even meme coins.
We understand its appeal. Conservatives have long had the fantasy of a ruthless business leader taking the reins of government, axing unproductive federal employees, and eliminating wasteful spending. Musk would seem to be the perfect candidate for such a position. A billionaire many times over, Musk made his record-shattering fortune by doing things people told him he couldn’t — launching rockets into space that can land back in the same spot, building a satellite internet system, and even creating an electric car that people actually want to buy. When he purchased Twitter and slashed most of its workforce, the tech press was filled with ominous warnings that it would imminently cease to function, but more than two years later, X is still a dominant social media platform.
To the extent that Musk, with the help of Ramaswamy and the rest of the team, can help identify reams of federal regulations worth undoing, well-compensated workers twiddling their thumbs, and billions of dollars squandered by federal agencies — count us in. But at the same time, it’s important to manage expectations.
DOGE is not an actual federal department with any sort of authority to enact sweeping changes. It will function as an advisory board that can make recommendations to Trump and Congress, but it will be up to others to enact and implement them. This is very different from what Musk is empowered to do as a private-sector executive.
