DOGE Head Vivek Ramaswamy Says ‘Drastic’ Reduction Coming To Federal Regulations

Former U.S. presidential candidate and incoming head of the newly created Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), Vivek Ramaswamy, stated in a December 1 X post that the federal government’s regulatory overhead will face a ‘drastic’ reduction.

Supreme Court Rulings and Federal Oversight

Ramaswamy pointed to two key judicial developments as the foundation for reducing federal regulatory power.

The Supreme Court’s rejection of “Chevron deference,” a principle that allowed federal agencies to interpret ambiguous statutes, and the Major Questions Doctrine, which requires agencies to act only with clear legal authority, were described as transformative.

The Supreme Court this year overturned “Chevron deference” in its Loper Bright ruling, which deals a seismic blow to federal bureaucracy. Under the old standard, federal courts deferred to agency interpretations of law when a statute was deemed ambiguous. That’s no longer the…

— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) December 2, 2024

“Overturning Chevron deference, combined with the Major Questions Doctrine codified in West Virginia vs EPA, paves the way for not a slight but a drastic reduction in the scope of the federal regulatory state,” Ramaswamy wrote in his post. “It’s coming.”

The court decisions, finalized in 2024 and 2022 respectively, restrict federal agencies’ ability to interpret statutes.

These changes are expected to impact numerous industries, including cryptocurrency, which has long been subject to what critics describe as a heavy-handed regulatory approach.

Implications for the Cryptocurrency Sector

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a frequent target of criticism for its enforcement-focused regulation, has faced scrutiny under these evolving legal standards.

President-elect Trump previously addressed the cryptocurrency community, promising a shift toward regulations designed by “the people who love your industry, not hate your industry.”

Former SEC chair Gary Gensler, who resigned last month, was often criticized for policies that stifled innovation within the blockchain industry.

🚨 @GaryGensler to step down as @SECGov Chair in January 2025, concluding a term of bold enforcement actions in the crypto space. #CryptoRegulations #GaryGensler #SEChttps://t.co/iKmVa3QkSM

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) November 21, 2024

Trump’s administration, bolstered by DOGE’s mission, seeks to realign regulatory efforts to foster growth and efficiency.

DOGE’s Role in Reshaping Federal Bureaucracy

The Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), led by Vivek Ramaswamy and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, has been tasked with streamlining federal oversight and eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic layers.

In a November statement, President-elect Trump outlined the department’s objectives, stating, “Elon and Vivek will dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies.”

The initiative seeks to enhance government efficiency while addressing longstanding criticisms of regulatory overreach. Progressive voices have also weighed in on DOGE’s mission.

Senator Bernie Sanders, in a December 2 X post, expressed agreement with some of Musk’s critiques of federal inefficiency, calling him “right” about the need for reform.

Elon Musk is right.

The Pentagon, with a budget of $886 billion, just failed its 7th audit in a row. It’s lost track of billions.

Last year, only 13 senators voted against the Military Industrial Complex and a defense budget full of waste and fraud.

That must change.

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) December 1, 2024

As the Trump administration prepares to take office, many stakeholders are awaiting specifics on the regulations DOGE intends to address.

The department’s actions are anticipated to bring major changes to the federal regulatory framework, with potential implications across various industries, including cryptocurrency.