U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped tech mogul Elon Musk to jointly lead a new initiative called the “Department of Government Efficiency.” Musk will co-chair the body alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican entrepreneur, in a role described as largely advisory.
Trump emphasized that the new department’s primary mission will be to “dismantle government bureaucracy” and streamline operations across the federal government. In his announcement, Trump likened the effort to the historic “Manhattan Project,” a top-secret U.S. government program during World War II that developed nuclear weapons. The reference signals the scale of ambition Trump has for this new initiative, which he suggests could be a transformative force for the federal government.
“With Elon Musk’s innovative leadership and Vivek Ramaswamy’s expertise in business, we are poised to tackle the inefficiencies that have long plagued Washington,” Trump said.
In other major appointments, Trump has selected Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army veteran, to serve as the next Secretary of Defense. Hegseth is a staunch advocate for military reform and veteran issues, and his appointment has been praised by many conservative leaders.
Trump also named John Ratcliffe, a Republican Congressman from Texas, as the next Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Ratcliffe, who has been a vocal critic of the intelligence community’s previous leadership, will likely push for significant reforms within the agency.
In addition, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is set to lead the Department of Homeland Security, a position that will give her a central role in managing national security and immigration policies.
As Trump begins to build his cabinet, Republicans are also on track to secure a majority in the House of Representatives, a shift that could reshape the legislative landscape in the coming years. The changes signal a sweeping agenda for the incoming administration, focused on government reform and strengthening national security.
The appointments reflect Trump’s commitment to reshaping both the government and national security apparatus, with an eye on efficiency and accountability.