Summary
The “Department of Government Efficiency” won’t be a real government agency. In fact, it won’t even be part of the federal government.
Led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the advisory commission aims to cut $2 trillion in spending, reduce regulations, and downsize the federal workforce.
Critics question its effectiveness, given its outsider status, potential conflicts of interest with Musk’s businesses, and Ramaswamy’s focus on mass layoffs and agency eliminations.
While some praise its potential for reforms, others warn it may undermine civil service and prioritize “slash-and-burn” cuts over thoughtful changes.
It doesn’t matter, that’s not the point. The point is precisely that it’s not part of the government. It’s the manifestation of the sort of private capture that has made Musk so rich. They are explicitly taking a governmental responsibility - managing the budget - and moving it out of the government. Away from oversight, away from regulation, with unclear (and therefore definable by them) power and authority, free from any obligation to actually DO anything.