Vivek Ramaswamy Exits DOGE Leadership to Pursue Ohio Governor Bid

Vivek Ramaswamy, the entrepreneur and former presidential candidate, has stepped down from his role as co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), marking the end of his involvement with the organization alongside Elon Musk. Ramaswamy announced his departure on January 20, expressing confidence that Musk and the DOGE team would continue their mission of streamlining government operations.

“It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE,” Ramaswamy wrote in a post on X. “I’m confident that Elon and the team will succeed in streamlining government.” While he did not provide specific details about his next steps, media outlets, including CBS News and The New York Times, reported that Ramaswamy is expected to announce a run for Ohio governor in the near future.

Ramaswamy’s exit from DOGE appears to be related to his political aspirations. “Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE. He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE based on the structure that we announced today,” said Anna Kelly, a spokesperson for DOGE.

Ramaswamy’s Future Plans

Ramaswamy has not yet officially declared his candidacy, but the move to leave DOGE coincides with the upcoming expiration of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s second term in January 2027. On January 18, Ramaswamy re-shared a post from a parody account suggesting he was running for governor of Ohio. Ramaswamy responded, stating that it wasn’t “a bad idea,” fueling speculation about his political intentions.

While Ramaswamy refrained from offering additional details about his future plans, he reaffirmed his support for President Donald Trump, further fueling his potential political alignment with Trump’s agenda.

Tensions with Musk and Departure from DOGE

Ramaswamy’s departure from DOGE follows reports that Elon Musk had expressed a desire for him to step down. According to Politico, a Republican strategist close to Trump’s advisers revealed that Ramaswamy’s recent remarks on American culture, including his criticism of tech companies’ hiring practices, strained his relationship with Musk. In a December X post, Ramaswamy criticized the tech industry for prioritizing mediocrity over excellence, a sentiment that did not sit well with Musk and other members of the team.

The Department of Government Efficiency, which was created under an executive order by Trump on his first day in office, aims to reduce federal spending through budget cuts and mass firings. DOGE, named after Musk’s favored cryptocurrency, Dogecoin, has faced scrutiny, including lawsuits filed by consumer advocacy groups. These lawsuits allege that DOGE violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act by allowing private individuals to influence government decisions without the proper transparency and oversight.

Despite these controversies, DOGE remains focused on its mission of reducing federal inefficiencies, with Musk now serving as the sole leader of the initiative.

A New Chapter for Ramaswamy

Ramaswamy’s decision to leave DOGE signals his intent to pivot toward a gubernatorial campaign. His departure comes at a time when Ohio’s political landscape is shifting, with Governor Mike DeWine’s term ending in 2027. As Ramaswamy prepares to announce his candidacy, his exit from DOGE marks a key moment in his political career, one that will likely have implications for both his future and the evolution of the Department of Government Efficiency under Musk's leadership.