Vivek Ramaswamy has resigned as co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E), a controversial initiative led by Elon Musk and supported by President Donald Trump.
Ramaswamy's departure comes amid signs that he will announce a run for governor of the state of Ohio.
Also Read: Trump Overlooks Crypto in Legislative Priorities After Taking Office
Ramaswamy Resigns as Co-Leader of D.O.G.E
Initially appointed to co-lead D.O.G.E with Musk, Ramaswamy said he plans to focus on Ohio and continue supporting Donald Trump's agenda.
"I was honored to help create DOGE. I believe Elon and the team will succeed in streamlining government. I'll have more to share soon about my future plans in Ohio,"
he posted.
National political reporter Taylor Popielarz confirmed through sources that Ramaswamy's gubernatorial ambitions required him to step down. Citing a statement from Trump-Vance Transition spokesperson Anna Kelly, Popielarz revealed Ramaswamy's plan to pursue an electoral role.
"A familiar source confirmed to me that Ramaswamy is no longer part of D.O.G.E because he will announce a run for Ohio governor early next week. 'It's clear he can't both run for office and lead DOGE at the same time,'"
Popielarz said.
Ramaswamy did not completely deny these speculations. However, his departure is said to not have been entirely voluntary. According to Politico, Musk had grown dissatisfied with Ramaswamy, with tensions escalating after a controversial post on X in December.
In the post, Vivek Ramaswamy criticized American work culture, arguing that tech companies hire foreign labor due to a culture that "worships mediocrity over excellence." This, along with his increasing focus on Ohio politics, led Musk to push for his removal.
"Everyone wanted him out. They wanted him out before the post came out — but they pushed him out when it did,"
Politico reported, citing a Republican strategist close to Trump.
Meanwhile, Trump has mentioned D.O.G.E in his inauguration speech on Monday. Similarly, at Trump's inauguration, Musk announced plans to take D.O.G.E to Mars, playing with the psychology of the Dogecoin price from the start.
"We will take DOGE to Mars,"
Musk joked.
The agency was designed to reduce federal spending through budget cuts and mass layoffs. Prominent figures in the crypto industry, including Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Gemini co-founder Cameron Winklevoss, have expressed strong support for the newly formed D.O.G.E.
Trump and Musk's emphasis on D.O.G.E has caused a temporary spike in the price of Dogecoin. However, the price has adjusted sharply, dropping more than 7%, on the news of Ramaswamy's departure.
DOGE Price Performance. Source: BeInCryptoThe initiative has also faced significant opposition. According to the Washington Post, consumer protection groups Public Citizen and the public interest law firm National Security Counselors filed a lawsuit against D.O.G.E shortly after Trump took office.
The lawsuits allege violations of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Critics argue that the initiative allows private individuals like Musk to make government decisions without adequate transparency or oversight.
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