“We Expect Mass Would Be Deleted”: Ramaswamy and Musk Plan to Eliminate Department of Education

Vivek Ramaswamy, co-leading President-elect Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with billionaire Elon Musk, announced plans over the weekend to eliminate the federal Department of Education entirely under the new administration. Speaking with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, Ramaswamy outlined an ambitious vision for sweeping cuts to federal agencies, contractors, and bureaucracies.

Eliminating the Department of Education

In a discussion with Bartiromo, Ramaswamy affirmed the administration’s intent to dismantle the Department of Education. When asked about Trump’s previous statements on cutting federal agencies, Bartiromo specifically pointed to the Department of Education as an example.

“We expect mass would be deleted outright,” Ramaswamy replied. “We expect mass reductions in force in areas of the federal government that are bloated. We expect massive cuts among federal contractors and others who are overbilling the federal government.”

Ramaswamy expressed confidence in the administration’s ability to execute these changes rapidly. “I think people will be surprised by… how quickly we’re able to move with some of those changes given the legal backdrop.”

A Vision for Mass Deregulation and Cuts

Ramaswamy emphasized the importance of speed and efficiency in enacting these reforms. “This is a historic opportunity. We’re not actually going to squander this,” he said. “Part of the key is to move quickly, to move effectively.”

The DOGE’s broader strategy appears to center on deregulation as a foundational step to enable structural changes. “Mass deregulation… gives us the industrial logic to then make cuts to that bureaucracy,” Ramaswamy explained. “Moving quickly is our objective.”

Shared Leadership with Elon Musk

Ramaswamy underscored the collaborative nature of his work with Musk, suggesting they are motivated by achieving results rather than seeking personal recognition. “Elon and I aren’t in this for the credit,” he said. “But I think we’re gonna build the consensus to make the kind of deep cuts that haven’t been made for most of our history.”

The proposed elimination of the Department of Education represents a significant shift in federal priorities and raises questions about the future of education policy. Critics are likely to scrutinize the impact of such cuts on public education, while supporters may view the move as a long-awaited reduction of government overreach.

As Ramaswamy and Musk prepare to lead the charge on government restructuring, their plans for rapid and unprecedented changes could reshape the federal landscape in ways not seen before.