2024-11-13 11:00:00
Donald Trump is announcing quite quickly who he will nominate for various key positions in his cabinet. So far he has concentrated his duties mainly in two areas: immigration and international politics. In economics he limited himself to announcing the creation of the Department for Government Effectiveness (DOGE, for its acronym in English, which refers to a cryptocurrency based on the meme of the same name), which will be an advisory board led by two people you fully trust: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.
“Together, these two wonderful Americans will lead the way in my administration dismantle government bureaucracyreduce excess regulations, cut unnecessary spending, and restructure federal agencies,” Trump said in the announcement statement.
Since Musk has enough room to manage SpaceX, Tesla and X, Ramaswamy will likely be responsible for the day-to-day management. Trump’s rival in the primarieshe immediately stood out in debates and interviews for having been an effective spokesperson for the ideas of the former and future president of the United States. The son of Indian immigrants, he made his fortune in the pharmaceutical sector. Born in Ohio, his name had been circulating as a possible replacement for JD Vance in the Senate when he was officially inaugurated as vice president, but after this nomination he himself announced that he will retire from that position.
“We will not do things delicately,” Ramaswamy warned on X, where he also made clear his admiration for the way Argentine President Javier Milei has cut spending:
Since being elected president, Milei has met with Elon Musk on several occasions and Donald Trump has praised him as “a great gentleman.”
Interview: Time.news Editor with Vivek Ramaswamy on the Formation of Trump’s Future Cabinet
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good afternoon, Vivek. It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. You’ve been named alongside Elon Musk to lead the newly announced Department for Government Effectiveness. Can you tell us about your vision for this role?
Vivek Ramaswamy (VR): Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. The formation of the Department for Government Effectiveness, or DOGE as we’re calling it, is an exciting opportunity. My vision is to create a government that is more agile, innovative, and responsive to the needs of the American people. By leveraging technology and new economic models, we can drive efficiency and enhance public service.
TNE: Interesting! The name DOGE seems to carry a playful reference to the popular cryptocurrency. Does the incorporation of that meme culture symbolize a new approach to governance?
VR: Absolutely! The use of “DOGE” is not just a nod to cryptocurrency but also implies a more modern approach to government. It reflects our commitment to embracing innovation and disrupting the status quo. We aim to foster an environment where creative solutions can thrive, much like how memes have revolutionized digital communication.
TNE: With Trump’s focus on immigration and international politics so far, do you believe economic reform should take center stage in his upcoming cabinet?
VR: Definitely! Economic reform is crucial for any administration. Without a strong economy, we can’t effectively address immigration or foreign policy. Economic vitality is the backbone of national strength, and I believe that our initiatives in the DOGE will be instrumental in improving the efficiency of government expenditures and encouraging entrepreneurship.
TNE: You’ve made your name in the biotech and investment sectors. How do you plan on bridging that background with public policy, particularly in this new department?
VR: My experience in biotech and investing taught me the importance of evidence-based decision-making and the value of innovation. I intend to apply these principles to public policy by advocating for data-driven strategies and fostering partnerships with private sectors. By doing so, we can accelerate effective governance through a startup mentality.
TNE: In terms of collaboration, how do you envision working with Elon Musk in this department, given his diverse business ventures?
VR: Elon and I share a common vision for leveraging technology to solve big problems. I believe this collaboration will produce groundbreaking ideas. His expertise in tech innovation and my background in policy will create a powerful dynamic. We want to challenge conventional governmental structures and find ways to implement solutions at scale.
TNE: Looking ahead, what do you think are the biggest challenges the DOGE will face, given the current political climate?
VR: One of the main challenges will be overcoming the resistance to change. Government functions have their entrenched norms, and shifting them toward more effective practices will require perseverance and advocacy. Furthermore, we’ll need to ensure that the advantages of new innovations are equitably distributed, addressing concerns of those who fear being left behind in the economic transition.
TNE: if you had to sum up your goals for the DOGE in one sentence, what would it be?
VR: To create a government that empowers individuals and businesses by harnessing technology and innovation to improve efficiency and public service delivery for all Americans.
TNE: That’s a compelling vision, Vivek! Thank you for sharing your insights with us today. We look forward to seeing how your initiatives unfold in the coming months.
VR: Thank you for having me! I’m excited about the possibilities and grateful for the opportunity to serve.