As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to assume office, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy are reportedly collaborating to lead Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The department aims to streamline the federal government, cutting down on bureaucracy and focusing on essential functions.
Musk, an outspoken advocate for limited government, highlighted[1] the views of famed economist Milton Friedman on Wednesday.
Oct 5, 2024; Butler, PA, USA; Elon Musk joins former President Donald Trump on stage as Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa., on October 5, 2024. On July 13, 2024, a gunman fired eight rounds at the former president and Republican presidential nominee during a rally in Butler. Trump was grazed by a bullet in the attack, and Pennsylvania firefighter Corey Comperatore was killed as he tried to shield his family from the attack. Two other men were injured.. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Sharing an old interview of Friedman on X (formerly Twitter), Musk referred to him as “the best,” pointing to the Nobel laureate’s assessment of federal agencies and their necessity.
In the interview, Friedman evaluated various federal departments, giving his opinion on which should be abolished and which should remain.
Friedman, a prominent advocate of free markets and limited government, argued decades ago that many federal agencies had outlived their usefulness or were unnecessary. According to his assessment:
Department of Agriculture: Should be “gone,” with Friedman suggesting it was no longer essential.
Department of Commerce: Also deemed unnecessary and should be abolished.
Department of Defense: Should remain to fulfill its critical role in national security.
Department of Education: Friedman argued for its elimination, stating it added no value.
Department of Energy: Should be abolished, except for nuclear-related functions, which he believed should fall under the Department of Defense.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Could retain some public health functions, such as those preventing contagion, but half of the agency should be eliminated.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Should be abolished, as Friedman claimed it caused an “enormous amount of harm.”
Department of the Interior: Could remain temporarily but should eventually be disbanded after the federal government sells off most of its land holdings, except for what is essential for government buildings.
Department of Justice: Essential for upholding the rule of law and should remain intact.
Department of State: Necessary for managing foreign affairs.
Department of the Treasury: Required for managing federal revenue and taxes.
Department of Labor: Should be eliminated.
Department of Transportation: Also deemed unnecessary.
Friedman advocated for a government stripped to its core functions: preserving peace, defending the country, and providing a system for resolving disputes.
His proposals, though controversial at the time, align closely with the goals of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are expected to draw from Friedman’s philosophy as they craft recommendations for reducing the federal government’s scope.
Musk’s focus on innovation and efficiency, combined with Ramaswamy’s emphasis on reducing government overreach, positions the duo to lead a significant overhaul of federal agencies.
With Trump’s incoming administration prioritizing smaller government, the Department of Government Efficiency could spearhead major reforms.
Observers anticipate that Musk and Ramaswamy will present proposals that echo Friedman’s vision of a lean federal government focused on essential functions.
