Vivek Ramaswamy Teases ‘Mass Reductions’ Under New DOGE, Expects Certain Agencies Will be Deleted Outright

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has unveiled plans to reshape the federal government dramatically.

Sweeping Changes in Federal Bureaucracy

Announced by President-elect Donald Trump, DOGE aims to streamline operations and cut perceived inefficiencies in federal agencies. Speaking on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, Ramaswamy declared that entire agencies might be “deleted,” with mass workforce reductions and contractor budget cuts on the horizon.

“We expect certain agencies to be deleted outright,” Ramaswamy stated. “The goal is to target bloated areas and slash federal contractor spending.” Despite his confidence in the rapid execution of these reforms, legal experts and critics have pointed out the constitutional challenges. Congress, not the president, has the final authority to dissolve federal agencies. As Rep. Ritchie Torres noted, “No federal agencies will be ‘deleted’ without an Act of Congress.”

Skepticism and Criticism of DOGE’s Feasibility

Ramaswamy’s radical approach is reminiscent of his 2024 Republican primary campaign proposals, such as firing federal employees based on Social Security number oddities. Similarly, Musk has suggested slashing the government’s $6.75 trillion budget by $2 trillion, a figure critics argue is unrealistic. Much of the federal budget is non-discretionary, covering programs like Social Security, Medicare, and interest payments on national debt.

Critics, including Rep. Jim Himes, have dismissed DOGE’s plans as impractical. Referring to Musk’s “12-point government waste manifesto,” Himes argued that targeting debt interest payments as wasteful is misguided. “Guess what? You got to pay interest on the debt,” he said, calling out what he views as a disconnect between entrepreneurial success and effective governance.

Musk’s controversial track record with sweeping changes, including his drastic restructuring of Twitter (renamed X), has added to the skepticism. However, DOGE’s leaders remain unfazed, with Ramaswamy asserting public support for reform and calling for consensus to make substantial cuts.

Mandate for Change or Overreach?

Ramaswamy and Musk claim Trump’s electoral victory reflects a mandate for dramatic transformation rather than incremental adjustments. DOGE’s timeline to complete its work by July 4, 2026, underscores their urgency. The initiative’s name, inspired by the Dogecoin cryptocurrency and memes, reflects its unconventional branding.

Ramaswamy argues that downsizing the administrative state could be achieved through executive action. He cited past Supreme Court rulings to justify rescinding regulations without congressional approval. “This is an opportunity to pull back regulations and downsize through industrial logic,” he said.

Despite doubts, the pair are confident in their ability to execute reforms. “Elon and I aren’t in this for the credit,” Ramaswamy noted. “The public understands their taxpayer dollars are not being well spent.”