Ohio, USA: Biotech entrepreneur and former Republican presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy has stepped down from his leadership position at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to prepare for a gubernatorial campaign in his home state of Ohio.
Ramaswamy’s resignation came shortly after Donald J. Trump was inaugurated as President on January 20. Trump had previously selected Ramaswamy to co-lead DOGE alongside Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Their primary mission was to streamline federal operations, cut bureaucracy, and eliminate unnecessary regulations under the banner of Trump’s "Save America" agenda.
In a statement shared on X, Ramaswamy expressed gratitude for the opportunity. I’m honored to have played a role in the creation of DOGE. I’m confident that Elon and the team will excel in transforming government. I'll be sharing more about my plans in Ohio soon. Most importantly, we’re fully committed to helping President Trump make America great again!" he wrote.
January 20, 2025
After a brief run against Trump in the 2024 Republican primaries, Ramaswamy became a staunch ally, setting aside his Ohio political ambitions to focus on the DOGE initiative. His resignation now clears the way for his expected gubernatorial bid.
Anna Kelly, a DOGE spokesperson, acknowledged Ramaswamy’s key contributions to the department. "Vivek Ramaswamy was instrumental in establishing DOGE. Due to the structure we’ve implemented, his candidacy for public office requires him to step away from the initiative. We are deeply grateful for his efforts and anticipate his continued impact in advancing our shared goals," Kelly stated.
Ramaswamy, a Harvard and Yale graduate and the son of Indian immigrants earned prominence in conservative circles for his criticism of identity politics and diversity initiatives. His rise in national politics followed a successful career in hedge funds and pharmaceutical research. He endorsed Trump after finishing fourth in Iowa’s 2024 GOP caucuses.
Trump’s decision to appoint Ramaswamy and Musk to DOGE underscored his administration’s focus on reforming federal operations, reducing workforce size, and curbing government oversight. With Ramaswamy stepping down, Musk will now lead the effort solo.
Though Ramaswamy has not officially announced his candidacy for Ohio governor, an announcement is widely expected in the coming weeks.
