Vivek Ramaswamy will no longer be a part of President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after he signaled plans to run for governor of Ohio, according to officials.
The decision leaves billionaire Elon Musk to run the cost-cutting operation.
Sources familiar with Ramaswamy’s plans told The Washington Post last week that he was interested in the position after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine chose Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to fill Vice President JD Vance’s vacated Senate seat.
“Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE,” Anna Kelly, a spokesperson for the commission, said in a statement. “He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE, based on the structure that we announced today. We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last two months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again.”
Shortly after Trump’s inauguration on Monday, Ramaswamy wrote on X: “It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE. I’m confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government.”
Ramaswamy, 39, from Cincinnati, made a fortune in biotech before turning his attention to politics. He rose to prominence on the right as a fierce critic of identity politics and programs that advance diversity, equity and inclusion.
In November, Trump appointed Ramaswamy and Musk to lead DOGE, which was set up to help reduce federal spending.
Ramaswamy ran for GOP presidential nominee in 2024 but dropped out to endorse Trump.
Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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