The U.S. government could use an organizational review of the executive branch and analysis of major departments to determine the relevance and applicability of its roles and missions to today's needs. Using first-principles analysis to identify an organization's major weaknesses and deficiencies will reveal obvious deficiencies.
co-chairman Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy of the Ministry of Government Efficiency are seasoned businessmen. Both understand that a company's success does not depend solely on the CEO. The chief operating officer, along with other staff members, has great responsibility for the smooth and efficient functioning of the organization.
But who is the chief operating officer of the U.S. government?Answer: None. Is it necessary?
The Biden administration has 15 Cabinet departments headed by secretaries, from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Other positions and officials may also be given cabinet status, such as the Director of National Intelligence or the Ambassador to the United Nations. How is each coordinated and managed, and who is responsible for these functions?
As the head of the government, states, chief executive, and political party, the president has too many responsibilities to serve as chief operating officer. Assigning the COO job would not work because the White House Chief of Staff is appointed but not confirmed and does not have Cabinet status.
The senior member of the Cabinet is the Secretary of State, who is a diplomat rather than an executive. And assigning the role to another officer will test the hierarchy and seniority system.
DOGE needs to determine whether a COO is needed to increase efficiency and better manage government functions. I would recommend the COO, but the most likely candidate for the position is the Vice President.
The reasons are compelling. The vice president is the second highest official in the government. The Vice President is the only official in the executive and legislative branches to serve as President of the Senate, given the enhanced powers of the Senate.
Vice presidents are not selected based on managerial ability. That would require major changes. But for governments to become more efficient and effective, appointing a COO with administrative authority is an important first step. And the president remains largely responsible for allaying concerns that the vice president will overstep his authority.
DOGE will also need to review and evaluate the responsibilities and powers of each major government department, including the Cabinet. Cabinets haven't changed much from decades ago. Does the 21st century require large-scale organizational reorganization and innovation? Indeed, it could be argued that no review has ever assessed the organization of the executive branch to determine whether it remains fit for purpose.
For example, in an age where AI, quantum computing, and many other technologies have revolutionary potential, who is in charge of technology? With so few individual farmers, the Department of Agriculture remains necessary. Or can the task be outsourced?
And are other departments assigned roles that are no longer relevant? So what about the learning department rather than education or transport infrastructure?
Law enforcement, intelligence, and internal security roles are also divided across the executive branch. The best known of these agencies are the FBI and the CIA. But how well-coordinated are these offices?
The Department of Justice has important responsibilities. How will it work with the Department of Homeland Security, which was created in response to the 9/11 attacks? Has the Department served its purpose, or is it creating excessive redundancy and inefficiency? and increased inefficiency?
When it comes to intelligence, how well does the Department of Homeland Security coordinate with the Director of National Intelligence, who was also created after 9/11 to oversee all 18 separate agencies? It spends the most money of all agencies collecting information on technical collection methods, which are not under the DNI's jurisdiction. But does this overall organization make sense?
Will DOGE extend its powers to the legislative and judicial branches?Certainly, both branches could be improved in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. But DOGE will almost certainly be limited to the executive branch, as both branches zealously protect their constitutional prerogatives.
DOGE will not be successful unless it addresses not only regulation but also the basic structure of government.
Dr. Harlan UllmanHe is a senior advisor to the Atlantic Council. His 12th book “The fifth knight and the new MAD' is available for purchase on Amazon.
