Who might succeed Elon Musk as head of DOGE? Here are some top contenders

After Elon Musk announced his departure from his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, the focus in Washington has shifted to who will take over as his successor. President Donald Trump has assured the public that DOGE’s work will continue, but the question remains as to who will lead the charge in Musk’s absence.

At the moment, there is no clear successor to Musk. A senior White House official has stated that the various DOGE employees across different agencies and departments will continue to report to and execute the president’s agenda through the leadership of their respective agency or department heads. This suggests that DOGE will remain an integral part of the federal government, operating as it has been.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has confirmed that the leaders of DOGE are the president himself and each member of his cabinet, all of whom are committed to cutting waste, fraud, and abuse from the government. This decentralized approach to leadership raises doubts about the need for a singular individual to replace Musk.

However, if Trump decides that a new DOGE chief is necessary, there are a few potential candidates who could step into the role. Amy Gleason, the acting chief of the United States DOGE Service (USDS), has been leading the agency since February. Gleason, a career official recognized for her work with nonprofits, could continue in a behind-the-scenes role if the president opts for a more decentralized leadership structure.

Russell Vought, the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, has also been heavily involved in DOGE’s waste-cutting efforts. Vought has expressed his intention to continue Musk’s work, making him a likely contender to take over as DOGE chief. Despite some political controversy surrounding Vought, his confirmation by the Senate suggests he could be a strong candidate for the role.

Another potential candidate is Vivek Ramaswamy, a former GOP presidential candidate and key Trump ally. Ramaswamy briefly co-led DOGE alongside Musk before stepping down to run for Ohio governor. While he shares Musk and Trump’s vision for reducing government waste, Ramaswamy’s gubernatorial ambitions may prevent him from rejoining the DOGE team in the near future.

In conclusion, the departure of Elon Musk has left a void in the leadership of DOGE, but the agency’s mission to cut waste in the government will continue. Whether a new chief is appointed or the current leadership structure remains in place, it is clear that DOGE’s work is here to stay.