WASHINGTON

US biotech entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will no longer co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside tech billionaire Elon Musk, according to reports Monday.

"Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE," Anna Kelly, a spokesperson for the commission, was quoted as saying in several US media outlets.

"He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE, based on the structure that we announced today. We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last two months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again."

There was no immediate comment from Ramaswamy on the reports.

The unconfirmed leadership change comes amid reported friction between Ramaswamy and incoming agency staff. CBS News reported Sunday that sources close to Musk had grown frustrated with Ramaswamy’s lack of participation in key tasks, further straining relations within the organization.

President Donald Trump announced the creation of the DOGE task force shortly after winning the election in November, aiming to streamline federal operations and reduce bureaucracy.

Trump described DOGE as potentially “the Manhattan Project of our time,” noting that Republican leaders have long aspired to such an initiative.

The advisory group will collaborate with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to address federal inefficiency and promote an “entrepreneurial approach to government never seen before,” according to Trump.