Vivek Ramaswamy, a failed GOP presidential candidate, faced intense criticism on Sunday after his social media post denouncing the “unelected federal bureaucracy.” Appointed by Donald Trump to lead the newly formed Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), Ramaswamy has been a lightning rod for controversy since the group’s inception.
In his post, Ramaswamy claimed, “The real ‘threat to our democracy’ is the unelected federal bureaucracy.” The statement quickly drew sharp rebukes from political commentators, journalists, and the public. David Sirota, founder and editor-in-chief of The Lever, pointed out the irony in Ramaswamy’s remarks.
“You have already launched and are reportedly staffing a department of the United States government that has never actually been created or authorized by any statute enacted by the democratically elected Congress of the United States,” Sirota wrote. Political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen added, “Vivek is literally an unelected federal bureaucrat,” highlighting the inconsistency in Ramaswamy’s criticism.
Even satirical accounts joined the fray. A popular parody profile portraying fictional News Night producer Maggie Jordan mocked Ramaswamy’s post, writing, “Not only is Vivek an unelected bureaucrat, the public had a chance to vote for him and they overwhelmingly chose not to elect him.” The post concluded with a pointed jab: “Best. Self. Own. Ever.”
Others from various fields echoed similar sentiments. Scientist Nishant Mehta reiterated, “Vivek is literally an unelected bureaucrat,” while bestselling author Claude Bouchard asked pointedly, “You mean like the unelected bureaucrat position you will hold?”
The backlash underscores a growing skepticism about Ramaswamy’s role in DOGE, a department critics claim lacks clear statutory authorization. Designed to streamline federal operations, DOGE has instead become a focal point for debates over government accountability and transparency.
As Ramaswamy positions himself as a crusader against bureaucracy, his appointment by Trump and his role within an unelected body have only intensified scrutiny. The reactions highlight the contradictions in his rhetoric and the challenges he faces in building credibility with both his supporters and detractors.
For now, Ramaswamy remains undeterred, continuing to push his agenda while grappling with the sharp criticism of his detractors. Whether his efforts to reshape government efficiency will succeed or remain mired in controversy is yet to be seen.