WASHINGTON — On November 12, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced that Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy would lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency.

In a statement, Trump explained that Musk and Ramaswamy would work to streamline government operations, reduce unnecessary regulations, cut wasteful spending, and reorganize federal agencies. Their work is set to conclude by July 4, 2026, which Trump described as a "gift" to the country on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Both Musk and Ramaswamy are significant Trump allies from the private sector. Musk heads Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), while Ramaswamy, a pharmaceutical company founder, ran for the Republican presidential nomination before endorsing Trump. Musk has also financially supported Trump's campaign and made public appearances alongside him. Trump had previously mentioned offering Musk a role in his administration focusing on government efficiency. The department's acronym, DOGE, coincidentally matches the name of the cryptocurrency Dogecoin, which Musk actively promotes. Musk expressed that the initiative would disrupt the system and target government waste, calling it potentially "The Manhattan Project of our time," referencing the U.S. effort to develop the atomic bomb during World War II.

In addition to the department announcement, Trump also revealed his pick for CIA director, naming former national intelligence director John Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe, a close Trump ally, previously served as national intelligence director during Trump's first term and was known for his controversial declassification of intelligence.

Trump further announced his intention to nominate Fox News host Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense. Hegseth, a veteran of the Army National Guard, has served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay. Trump described Hegseth as tough, smart, and a strong advocate for the "America First" agenda.

Finally, Trump appointed William McGinley as White House counsel. McGinley, who served as White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first term, is seen as a tenacious lawyer who will help advance Trump’s agenda, including advocating for election integrity and opposing the weaponization of law enforcement.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters file