The History of DOGE

Beginning in the Middle Ages, and lasting beyond the Renaissance, the Doge was the chief magistrate serving as the highest appointed official of the Republic of Venice, one of the freest and most powerful republics in Europe for more than 1,000 years. This role symbolized the sovereignty of the Venetian republic and emphasized protecting freedoms and ensuring efficient governance. Today, the term takes on a new dimension as a framework for modern government reform.

The DOGE in 2024: The Musk and Ramaswamy Vision

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, in a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, unveiled DOGE (the Department of Government Efficiency), a plan to drive major government reform through a team of volunteers and government crusaders made up of lawyers, scientists and economists to collaborate with the Trump administration, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Congress. The three major reforms DOGE will seek are regulatory rescissions, administrative reductions and cost savings. The strategy prioritizes executive action under existing legislation rather than by passing new laws. Two critical Supreme Court rulings issued during President Biden's tenure serve as their North Star:

West Virginia v. EPA (2022): This decision restricted agencies from imposing major regulations without explicit congressional authorization.

Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo (2024): Overturning the "Chevron Deference" doctrine, this ruling empowers courts to exercise independent judgment when reviewing agency actions.

DOGE’s reforms aim to reduce overregulation, cut federal spending, and restore constitutional intent. Musk and Ramaswamy envision the initiative as a catalyst for........

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