Trump-Musk’s DOGE: India’s NAC? – OpEd

The creation of Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reminds us of a similar Congress led government in India under the former Prime minister Manmohan Singh led by former Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi.

In 2004, Sonia Gandhi established the National Advisory Council (NAC) with the intent of advising the government on key policy matters, especially those aligned with the policies that were central to the Congress Party’s agenda. The NAC gained significant influence, with critics terming it as a “Shadow Government”, undermining the formal structure of the elected government which created friction between the traditional governance system. 

Sonia Gandhi the Congress Party President in 2004 could have become the Prime Minister of Sonia Gandhi the Congress Party President in 2004 could have become the Prime Minister of India but thought it wise or advised that not being an original Indian by birth, she may not to be allowed to continue as the Prime Minister of India by the opposition.  So, Sonia Gandhi and her coterie cleverly created the NAC for her and placed Manmohan Singh as the prime minister who will work under her directions. Sonia Gandhi indirectly retained the power and the leadership from outside.  

Why Trump-Musk DOGE?

I really wonder what prompted President Elect Donald Trump to establish DOGE as an advisory to his administration or even carry out checks on the functioning. Trump returns for his second inning as a stronger US President could have executed all what he visions through his advisors. Why create a Department for Government Efficiency from outside? 

This time, Trump intends to “blow up” what he describes as the corrupt government bureaucracy. DOGE plans to deliver a smaller, more efficient government to America as a “gift” on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. DOGE will be led by Musk and Indian American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. The mission of DOGE is ambitious: This initiative will consolidate agencies, eliminate redundancies, reduce the size of the federal workforce, and, perhaps most controversially, cut back on regulations.

Elon Musk played a pivotal role in Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 US election by funding $75 million into Trump’s election campaign and was a critical figure in supporting Trump. Musk worked behind the scenes to secure votes in swing states which ultimately helped Trump beat Kamla Harris comfortably. Ramaswamy is known for his anti-woke and anti-establishment views, he initially aspired to be a Republican hopeful along with Nikki Haley but finally ended his White House bid in January this year and endorsed Donald Trump for President. Ramaswamy is known for his anti-woke and anti-establishment views, he was a Republican hopeful along with Nikki Haley. Finally, Ramaswamy ended his White House bid in January this year and endorsed Donald Trump for President. Now, as President-elect Trump, to oblige his friend Elon Musk in him getting his second term and Ramaswamy to endorse Trump as the Republican presidential candidate, announced a new government initiative DOGE.

DOGE: Advisory Body 

DOGE will work as an advisory body to the President, focusing on reducing bureaucracy and simplifying government operations. Although Musk-Ramaswamy will influence shape decisions on the size and scope of government agencies. The goal is to streamline federal operations, eliminating inefficiencies and creating a more agile administration. However, in the case of Musk’s direct close ties with Trump put him in a unique position to influence the direction of US governance. Musk has already been seen working directly with Trump, bypassing traditional White House staff and is likely to shape key policy decisions.

The US President holds executive power, and reforms within the President’s authority are carried out within his own team and administration. With Trump’s support, the likelihood of Musk and others successfully advancing reforms is high. With a focus on efficiency, the US government is likely to become more detailed and stringent, and cost audits will be more rigorous and thorough. This will force government contractors to actively reduce costs, improve efficiency, enhance service quality and significantly increase the likelihood of achieving government spending reduction targets. 

DOGE Musk’s Power Center 

DOGE is already being seen as a parallel power center, with critics arguing that it while operating outside the formal structure it will work behind the scenes, advising the president and many fear that key decisions will be taken outside the official framework of governance with Musk’s growing power and influence within the Trump administration. The feared risk that decisions could be made by Musk and Ramaswamy without the usual checks and balances of congressional oversight or the scrutiny that comes with formal government positions may be out of context as Donald Trump being a powerful President will definitely have his checks and balances through his other coterie of his team within his official administration.

While the outcomes of DOGE remain to be seen, the potential for controversy is high. The question remains whether DOGE will successfully streamline government operations or if it will be leading to bureaucratic confusion. Trump at times has been unpredictable and Musk has behaved eccentrically from time to time. DOGE is not likely to be the same as NAC as the major difference is that former Indian Prime minister Manmohan Singh followed its party leader Sonia Gandhi’s dictates whereas Trump as the party leader and the President will be a strong Authoritarian leader having total control on the DOGE advisories to take the final decisions.