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<ul class="summary-list"><li>The Department of Government Efficiency wouldn't be a department, but an outside advisory group.</li><li>Under current law, Congress needs to approve most budget changes, limiting the DOGE's power.</li></ul>President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a new effort to slash what he sees as federal inefficiency, with Elon Musk as cost-cutter-in-chief.Trump <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-trump-cabinet-election-x-2024-9">made good on a campaign promise</a> when he tapped Musk to co-lead the proposed "Department of Government Efficiency," or DOGE, alongside former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.Musk says he wants to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget to make it more efficient and effective. Beyond that, though, little is known about how the DOGE will function and how much power it — <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-adopts-elon-musk-plan-cut-government-spending-efficiency-reform-2024-9">and Musk</a> — will have.Musk did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment for this article. A representative for Ramaswamy declined to comment.<h2 id="2dc0c03e-9977-4403-9201-3d55e844524d">What do we know about the DOGE?</h2>Despite its name, the DOGE will <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musks-doge-gets-a-government-checkmark-on-x-2024-11">not actually be a government department</a>, as departments are permanent and can only be created by Congress. Instead, it will function "outside of the government" and disband by July 4, 2026, Trump said in a statement.<div type="image" title="Trump and Musk at a rally" height="2584" width="4184" msid="115360794" hostid="261" sizebytes="161264"></div>The name DOGE is an homage to Musk's preferred cryptocurrency, Dogecoin, which shot up in value after Trump won the election. Under current law, the DOGE might not be able to accomplish much, since Congress controls federal spending."They have no power. No power at all," Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow at the nonpartisan Brookings Institute who led efforts to reform the federal government under former President Bill Clinton, told Business Insider. "They do make recommendations, and once they make recommendations, the expectation is that the government will act on them."There's no guarantee that a recommendation will turn into a policy, especially given that many of the DOGE's suggestions will likely require congressional approval, Kamarck said.<h2 id="0f11a880-6c1f-4025-a722-a860ae33d16c">The DOGE's $2 trillion goal is something of a pipe dream.</h2>Federal spending <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy-department-government-efficiency-doge-2024-11">reached $6.75 trillion in 2024</a>. Multiple experts told BI that it's unlikely Musk will be able to cut his desired $2 trillion without sacrificing programs that have wide bipartisan support or fall under federal mandatory spending, like Medicare and Social Security. Kamarck called the $2 trillion goal the "most unrealistic" part of the whole DOGE plan.Trump has long been preoccupied with cutting what he sees as Washington's waste and fraud."The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will ultimately be staffed and dedicated to this mission," Brian Hughes, a spokesperson for Trump's transition team, told BI in a statement.Quoting former Rep. Barney Frank, Kamarck said that excess federal spending is "marbled" <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy-doge-government-efficiency-what-us-spends-2024-11">throughout the budget</a>, like fat throughout a steak, making the DOGE's desired $2 trillion in cuts tricky."It just doesn't work, unless you decide to start cutting Social Security benefits or Medicare, at which point all hell breaks loose," she told BI. "And you know, the bromance between Trump and Musk will end very quickly."Known for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-efficiency-companies-tesla-spacex-x-2024-11">streamlining efficiency at his companies</a>, Musk says he wants to cut bureaucracy, shrink the federal workforce, and trim the number of federal agencies down to no more than 99 (there are currently <a target="_blank" href="https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies">more than 440</a>).Douglas Holtz-Eakin, the former director of the Congressional Budget Office, told BI that he doubted that the loosely defined group would be able to accomplish much given its sprawling $2 trillion target."It is hard for me to get seriously ginned up about it until there's a real structure there that suggests that this makes some sense and has a purpose," he said. "If something is designed to do everything, it will do nothing."<h2 id="6bcaf431-1be5-4839-9b83-d0f24a7146cf">The DOGE will exist "outside of government."</h2>In one scenario, the DOGE could function as an advisory committee, which Trump can create through an executive order. The president-elect said the DOGE will work with the Office of Management and Budget, which prepares the president's budget request for Congress."They have made clear that this is a non-governmental department, which is not a familiar term, and so it's not really clear how the organization will operate because of that," Lisa Gilbert, co-president of the progressive nonprofit advocacy group Public Citizen, told BI. "It might be an advisory committee of non-governmental actors, but even from that posture, it won't have the authority to alter budgets or fire employees or rescind regulations."<div type="image" title="Donald Trump and Elon Musk" height="1910" width="2707" msid="115360796" hostid="261" sizebytes="118134"></div>Kamarck said that there are specific rules laying out how much interaction external committees can have with the government, but it's not clear how Trump, Musk, and Ramaswamy envision the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-doge-hiring-staff-how-to-apply-2024-11">internal infrastructure of the DOGE</a>."How are they going to talk to each other? How are they going to meet with each other? Are they going to go talk to anybody in the government, or are they just going to make up things from 50 miles away?" she said.On November 14, the DOGE <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/DOGE/status/1857076831104434289">said in a post on X</a> that it is seeking "super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ per week on unglamorous cost-cutting." Musk said on his <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1857112441529700671">personal X account</a> that the positions will not be paid.<h2 id="4c25da3e-39de-44e2-a1c5-c7249f9fc728">Trump has talked about changing a key law that limits his federal spending power.</h2>Trump, Musk, and Ramaswamy may try to circumvent the congressional obstacles standing in the way of their cost-cutting agenda. Last year, Trump expressed interest in going after the Impoundment Control Act, a 1974 provision that requires the president spend funds that Congress has appropriated."Bringing back Impoundment will give us a crucial tool with which to obliterate the Deep State, Drain the Swamp, and starve the Warmongers," the president-elect <a target="_blank" href="https://www.donaldjtrump.com/agenda47/agenda47-using-impoundment-to-cut-waste-stop-inflation-and-crush-the-deep-state">said in a video</a> in June 2023.Holtz-Eakin said attempting to skirt the impoundment act would be like rewriting history, and Kamarck told BI that any attempt to not spend money that Congress has appropriated poses big Constitutional questions."If he tries to change the law so that he can impound funds, my guess is there'll be a fight in the Congress and he'll lose," she said.<h2 id="4956dc95-91da-4028-b1b3-d843a1509397">Musk could bump up against many conflicts of interest but likely wouldn't have to divest from his companies.</h2>If the DOGE is a federal advisory committee, Musk and Ramaswamy would likely be "special government employees," who are experts or consultants that can work for a federal agency or the White House for up to 130 days. They do not get paid and, crucially, would not have to divest from their companies."They've been clear also that they're staying in their roles as the heads of companies and in other places," Gilbert said. "Not being a part of government means they don't have to deconflict themselves."In a press release for Public Citizen, Gilbert said that Musk's "own businesses have regularly run afoul of the very rules he will be in position to attack" as the DOGE co-lead.<div type="image" title="Donald Trump and Vivek Ramaswamy" height="5504" width="8256" msid="115360795" hostid="261" sizebytes="4296554"></div>In the role, Musk and Ramaswamy would still be bound to federal ethics laws and have to recuse themselves from conversations that affect them personally, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-14/doge-what-can-musk-do-with-the-department-of-government-efficiency?srnd=homepage-americas">Bloomberg</a> reported. With his companies under investigation from at least 20 federal regulatory agencies and SpaceX having more than $15 billion in federal contracts, Musk could face many such conflicts.Kamarck said that there's no "firm line" about when employees need to take themselves out of discussions, but that lawyers address questions on a case-by-case basis.Musk has expressed public frustration with what he views as overbearing federal oversight, which he said has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/12/us/politics/elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy-trump.html">slowed down his pace of business</a>.By law, meetings of advisory committees, like the kind the DOGE could be, need to be open, and Musk has no problem with the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-doge-leaderboard-federal-government-spending-trump-2024-11">transparency</a> — in fact, he seems to invite it. In a post on X, the billionaire promised to post all of the group's actions online <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-leaderboard-government-spending-marketing-genius-doge-donald-trump-2024-11">"for maximum transparency</a>" and said the public should chime in with their opinions.It's also possible the group might intentionally avoid becoming a federal committee because of the increased oversight and scrutiny, Holtz-Eakin said."It's not a federal committee as far as I can tell," he said. "I think that's deliberate. If you do that, then you're subject to lots of things like a conflict of interest you have to sign off on, and I think that would be a nightmare for Mr. Musk. And so they're not going to let it tiptoe toward federal jurisdiction."Until Trump actually forms the DOGE, if he ever does, the legal and bureaucratic details remain murky, and the experts BI spoke with aren't convinced that it will work well."It sounds a little screwy, frankly," Kamarck said.

How Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency could actually work

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.</li><li>The president-elect previously vowed to let Kennedy "go wild on health."</li></ul>Trump has nominated former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, likely sparking a confirmation battle in the Senate."I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health.The president-elect previously vowed to let Kennedy "go wild on health."Kennedy, 70, is a vaccine skeptic who supports removing fluoride from water supplies and promoting products like raw milk, which the Food and Drug Administration has cautioned against. He has said that he wants to fire some nutritionists at the health agency and overhaul federal food regulations, setting off alarm bells among public health experts. Yet his eclectic views occasionally cut across party lines — his desire to cut ultra-processed food from school lunches, for example, was an Obama-era priority as well.Despite once running against Trump this cycle, Kennedy dropped out and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rfk-jr-drops-out-presidential-race-2024-8">endorsed</a> the president-elect in August, which <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rfk-wanted-white-house-job-exchange-for-endorsing-trump-report-2024-7">sources</a> said was an effort to secure a job in the administration. The two spearheaded a "Make America Healthy Again" campaign.The head of HHS requires Senate approval and Kennedy could have an upward battle ahead of him, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.semafor.com/article/11/12/2024/trump-eyes-a-battle-to-get-kennedy-through-the-senate">Semafor reported</a>.

Trump taps Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead Department of Health and Human Services

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Four states are voting on minimum wage increases this Election Day.</li><li>The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, but many states have higher rates.</li></ul>This Election Day, minimum wage workers in four states are waiting to learn if they'll get a raise.Though the federal minimum wage has remained at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/current-federal-minimum-wage-is-13-years-old-inflation-impact-2022-7">$7.25 since 2009</a>, many municipalities have moved to boost it. The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/mw-consolidated">Department of Labor</a> said that 20 states either default to the federal minimum or have minimum wages that equal $7.25. Washington, DC, has the highest minimum wage at $17.50 an hour.Even with Democrats historically leading the charge for a higher federal minimum, it's a proposition that often gets bipartisan support: In 2020, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-vote-increase-in-minimum-wage-research-on-employment-2020-11">Florida voted</a> to reelect Donald Trump as president — and also voted to gradually bump the minimum wage to $15 per hour.Here's where the minimum wage stands across the country and where it might change.<h2 id="6e75099f-cfe4-4b65-a7a5-8e5720d6f000">Alaska</h2>This Election Day, Alaskans — who <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_voting_trends_in_Alaska">historically lean red</a> — are voting on a ballot measure to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2027 and then peg it to inflation. The minimum wage in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.epi.org/minimum-wage-tracker/#/min_wage/Alaska">Alaska</a> rose to <a target="_blank" href="https://labor.alaska.gov/lss/rights.htm#:~:text=Effective%20January%201%2C%202024%2C%20Alaska,be%20taken%20by%20the%20employer.">$11.73</a> at the start of 2024, meaning the new measure would provide another boost.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.elections.alaska.gov/doc/oep/2024/Ballot%20Measure%201_Eng.pdf">Ballot Measure No. 1</a> would also mandate that employers offer paid sick leave, with smaller employers required to provide at least 40 hours and larger employers made to offer at least 56 hours. The Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning think tank, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.epi.org/publication/alaskas-minimum-wage/">estimates</a> that the hike would directly affect 16,000 workers in Alaska, and, in total, directly and indirectly affect 30,800 workers across the state.<h2 id="c3d5077e-9755-40fd-a579-1b5d7fe5cf85">California</h2>In <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/us/elections/polls-president-california.html">blue stalwart</a> California, where the minimum wage rose to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/minimum_wage.htm">$16 an hour</a> at the start of 2024, voters are also weighing another boost. <a target="_blank" href="https://lao.ca.gov/BallotAnalysis/Proposition?number=32&amp;year=2024">Proposition 32</a>, if passed, would bring the minimum wage for all workers to $18 an hour by 2026 — and, for larger businesses, the minimum wage would reach $18 by 2025.<h2 id="7c303318-8587-471f-af80-19d4e065d7e1">Missouri</h2>Voters in Missouri, which has voted Republican over the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_voting_trends_in_Missouri">last two decades</a>, are weighing in on whether to boost their minimum wage after another gradual bump at the start of 2024. Missouri's minimum wage is $12.30 an hour. If <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/petitions/2024BallotMeasures">Proposition A passes</a>, the minimum wage in Missouri will rise to $15 by 2026.<h2 id="08514347-1876-4b28-9a74-9c95fa750c78">Massachusetts</h2>In Massachusetts — a historically "<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/11/05/massachusetts-presidental-election-maps">deep blue</a>" state — voters are weighing in on a more niche aspect of the minimum wage: what tipped workers should receive.The minimum wage in Massachusetts is $15 an hour, and the tipped minimum wage is $6.75. When tips are included in their wages, tipped workers are meant to reach $15 an hour. Prominent progressives have <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/equal-pay-day-end-tipped-wage-bernie-sanders-amy-schumer-2021-3">criticized the practice of the tipped wage</a>, pointing to findings that show women make up a larger share of the tipped wage force — and wage gaps are smaller for restaurant workers in states with one set minimum wage.If Massachusetts' <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/publications/information-for-voters-24/quest_5.htm">question 5 passes</a>, the tipped wage would slowly increase to become level with the state minimum wage, reaching full parity by 2029.<h2 id="47e54b83-705d-4c9a-9155-8965d4824b21">Arizona</h2>Conversely, voters in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kamala-harris-donald-trump-swing-state-polls-photo-finish-2024-11">the swing state of Arizona</a> are weighing whether to reduce the amount employers are obligated to pay tipped workers. As it stands, Arizona employers are able to pay tipped workers up to $3 less than the standing minimum wage — as long as workers' tips still bring them to the minimum wage.Under <a target="_blank" href="https://www.azleg.gov/alispdfs/Council/2024BallotMeasures/adopted%20analysis%20Proposition%20138%20SCR1040%20-%202024.pdf">Proposition 138</a>, employers would be able to pay their tipped workers up to 25% less than the state's minimum wage, which would put such workers at $10.77 an hour, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://ballotpedia.org/Arizona_Proposition_138,_Wages_for_Tipped_Workers_Amendment_(2024)">according to Ballotpedia</a>. That would only be allowed, the proposition said, if the employer can "establish that the employee is paid at least the minimum wage plus $2.00 per hour for all hours worked" after including tips.Are you a worker earning at or near the minimum wage in your state? Share your story with these reporters at <a target="_blank" class="" href="mailto:jkaplan@businessinsider.com">jkaplan@businessinsider.com</a> or <a target="_blank" class="" href="mailto:mhoff@businessinsider.com">mhoff@businessinsider.com</a>.

Workers in 4 states are up for a raise. This map shows the minimum wage in every state.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Elon Musk would co-lead his new government efficiency drive.</li><li>The unofficial Department of Government Efficiency is already verified on X with a gray tick.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk">Elon Musk's</a> Department of Government Efficiency is already verified on X as an official government entity, and could be in violation of the platform's rules on verification.President-elect <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy-department-government-efficiency-doge-2024-11">Donald Trump announced on Tuesday</a> that Tesla CEO Musk and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy will lead the Department of Government Efficiency, nicknamed DOGE.Trump said the new agency would work to cut regulation and slash spending.The former and future president said Musk and Ramaswamy will "provide advice and guidance from outside of Government."After less than two days, the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/DOGE">DOGE account on X</a> has the platform's gray verified checkmark, which is used to identify government or multilateral organization accounts.According to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://help.x.com/en/rules-and-policies/profile-labels">X's rules on checkmarks</a>, organizations eligible for the gray checkmark are generally reserved for executive office accounts, government agency accounts, and embassy and state-level accounts, as well as accounts held by government officials and heads of state.As DOGE is not an official government department, having the gray checkmark may violate X's rules.Musk used X as a megaphone for his outspoken support of Donald Trump during the election campaign, frequently posting messages of support for the former president and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-going-all-in-recruit-billionaire-peers-trump-vance-2024-7">using the site to try and win over other Silicon Valley billionaires</a>.After the president-elect confirmed Musk's new role, the Tesla CEO said he planned to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-leaderboard-government-spending-marketing-genius-doge-donald-trump-2024-11">post a public leaderboard of "the most insanely dumb spending of your tax dollars"</a> and let users weigh in on specific potential cuts.Musk has also hailed Trump's election victory as vindication of his $44 billion purchase of X, then called Twitter, in 2022, repeatedly telling users, <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1856637767758815323">"You are the media now"</a> in the aftermath of the result.X did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside normal working hours.

Elon Musk's DOGE isn't an official department. It has a government checkmark on X.

Donald <keyword id="19906203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Trump" source="keywords">Trump</keyword> and <keyword id="19903807" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Elon-Musk" source="keywords">Elon Musk</keyword> have apparently become great friends over recent months. Musk poured millions of dollars into Trump's successful election campaign and has been a vocal and visible supporter of the president-elect. In return, he's been given a new job, in joint charge of the new <keyword id="23593857" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Department-of-Government-Efficiency" source="keywords">Department of Government Efficiency</keyword> (Doge), where he will be tasked with streamlining government operations and reducing bureaucracy. This "department"—actually an advisory group—will aim to cut unnecessary spending and make the general functioning of the US government more efficient. The idea is that within a federal budget of over US$6 trillion, there are opportunities to make some big savings. Musk's appointment—like many things he's involved with—has sparked controversy. The richest man in the world has already said he wants to cut spending by US$2 trillion (£1.6 trillion) and mentioned setting up a "leaderboard for most insanely dumb spending of your tax dollars.". Some are concerned about the impact he could have on public services. Others fear he will use his position to promote his own business interests. On the positive side, Musk has a very impressive CV when it comes to big organisations. He has created (or co-created) multi-billion-dollar businesses, including Paypal, <keyword id="19895433" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tesla" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tesla" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Tesla">Tesla</keyword>, and <keyword id="19905255" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SpaceX" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="SpaceX" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="SpaceX">SpaceX</keyword>. He has founded startups involved in AI (xAI), tunnelling (the Boring Company), and medicine (<keyword id="19985233" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Neuralink" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Neuralink" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Neuralink">Neuralink</keyword>). And research suggests that much of Musk's success comes down to a relentless focus on efficiency. He has also been praised for the depth of his analytical thinking and innovative problem solving. Tesla's factory in California went from being the least productive car manufacturing plant in the US when it was owned by General Motors to the most productive under Musk's ownership. SpaceX has vastly reduced costs in the space cargo business. So he has form. And Musk is not the first American business leader to offer private sector expertise to the world of politics. Back in the 1960s, Robert McNamara, former president of the Ford Motor Company, served as secretary of defence under presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. McNamara brought significant innovations to <keyword id="22668770" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-efficiency" source="keywords">government efficiency</keyword> that drew on his corporate experience. He championed cost-benefit analysis and a data-driven approach to decision-making and was keen on reducing bureaucracy and promoting accountability in complex governmental processes. To achieve this, McNamara recruited a team of experts from the worlds of academia and business. Known as the "Whizz Kids," they brought new perspectives to the White House. In the UK now, the Labour government's minister of state for investment is Poppy Gustafsson, a former venture capitalist and tech founder. Its minister for prisons is James Timpson, former CEO of the Timpson Group, a family firm renowned for hiring ex-offenders. These people—and there are many other examples around the world—were brought into the political sphere because of the knowledge and vision they have demonstrated in the private sector. The hope is their talent and leadership will improve policy and practice. <h2>Data-driven reform</h2>The same must be hoped for Musk: that with his co-leader, Vivek Ramaswamy—a biotech entrepreneur and former Republican leadership candidate—he will bring expertise in cost-cutting and innovative strategies. This will probably include comprehensive audits and data-driven approaches to reform. Critics refer to prior examples of Musk's approach, such as the mass layoffs and aggressive cost-cutting measures at Twitter (now X), with concerns that there could be similarly drastic reductions in the federal workforce and public services. But big job cuts were happening across the tech sector at that time. They came in the wake of reduced revenues and a need to reduce bloated workforces and ineffective functions—not unlike the challenges faced by the US government. Nevertheless, while proponents see Musk as an experienced leader capable of streamlining bureaucracy, sceptics fear the advent of harmful austerity measures that risk disruption to essential public programs. Concerns have also been raised about potential conflicts of interest, as Musk's business empire benefits from government contracts. However, since Doge will operate as an advisory body, concerns over him gaining advantage through any self-dealing seem overblown. Besides, two of Musk's companies (SpaceX and Tesla) have been awarded US$15.4 billion (£12.3bn) in federal contracts in the last decade. Perhaps then, success precedes influence rather than the reverse? Doge will also be governed by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which maintains legal and ethical guardrails. And Congress will have the final say over any decisions. Fears of the worst possible outcome to Musk's appointment are a natural human response in the face of uncertainty. It is part of the reason that negative headlines get more clicks than positive ones. It is also true that Musk has aligned himself with a politician who divides opinion like few others. By leveraging his billions of dollars and 200 million followers on X to help Trump to victory, he made it clear which side he was on. And in a highly polarised US political landscape, the anguish about his governmental role may be little more than a knee-jerk reaction from the millions of people whose side he did not choose.

Love him or loathe him, Elon Musk is a champion of efficiency and could save the US government a fortune

The <keyword id="19905162" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Biden-Administration" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Biden Administration" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Biden Administration">Biden Administration</keyword> has said an interim government in <keyword id="6354759" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bangladesh" source="Orion">Bangladesh</keyword>, which has descended into chaos after the sudden resignation of <keyword id="21594100" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prime-Minister-Sheikh-Hasina" source="keywords">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina</keyword> amid violent <keyword id="22425944" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="anti-quota-protests" source="keywords">anti-quota protests</keyword>, should be formed according to <keyword id="20540983" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="democratic-principles" source="keywords">democratic principles</keyword>, rule of law and the will of the <keyword id="22681447" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bangladeshi-people" source="keywords">Bangladeshi people</keyword>. "We want to see the Bangladeshi people decide the future of the Bangladeshi government," <keyword id="22339173" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="State-Department-Spokesperson" source="keywords">State Department Spokesperson</keyword> <keyword id="2082257" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Matthew-Miller" source="Orion">Matthew Miller</keyword> told reporters at his daily news conference. Bangladesh descended into chaos as Prime Minister Hasina surreptitiously resigned and fled the country in a military aircraft while the army stepped in to fill the power vacuum by announcing an interim government. As the news of Hasina's departure spread, hundreds broke into her residence, vandalising and looting the interiors, providing dramatic expression to the anti-government protests that have killed more than 300 people in a fortnight. The embattled Bangladeshi leader later in landed at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad as part of her plan to go to London. Miller told the press conference that the United States is monitoring the situation carefully and calls for an end to violence and fixing accountability for the deaths that have occurred over the past few weeks. "All decisions regarding the interim government should be made with respect to democratic principles, rule of law and the will of the Bangladeshi people," he said. "Now, as to what accountability looks like, that's something that should take place under Bangladeshi law. Obviously, anyone responsible for acts of violence, acts that break the law should be held accountable for them," he said. In response to a question, Miller said he is not aware if the former prime minister Hasina has sought an asylum in the United States. "With respect to the violence over the past few weeks and the deaths that have occurred, it is vital that we have full and transparent investigations to ensure accountability for these deaths. As relates to the interim government, we think that it's important that we focus on the Bangladeshi people's democratic aspirations and see a path to democratic governance," Miller said. Noting that the US greatly values its relationship with the people of Bangladesh, he said, "We want to see that continued. I would just urge everyone with requests or questions about what the future may entail, we are not even 12 hours out from the reported resignation of the prime minister." Miller said the United States is monitoring the situation in Bangladesh carefully. "The United States stands with the people of Bangladesh. We urge all parties to refrain from further violence. Too many lives have been lost over the course of the past several weeks and we urge calm and restraint in the days ahead," he said. "We welcome the announcement of an interim government and urge any transition be conducted in accordance with Bangladesh's laws. Finally, we are deeply saddened about the reports of human rights abuses, casualties and injuries over the weekend and past weeks. We share our deepest condolences with those who have lost loved ones and those who are suffering," Miller said. Earlier, a White House National Security Council spokesperson said, "We are monitoring the situation in Bangladesh closely." "The United States has long called for respecting democratic rights in Bangladesh, and we urge that the interim government formation be democratic and inclusive," the spokesperson said. The NSC spokesperson said the US "commend the Army for the restraint they have shown today. We encourage all parties to refrain from further violence and restore peace as quickly as possible". "We express our deep concern and sadness about the reports of casualties and injuries over the weekend and past weeks, and we share our deepest condolences with those who lost loved ones and those who are suffering. "It will be vital for the new government to carefully and credibly investigate all attacks, and provide accountability and justice for the victims," the spokesperson said.

Bangladesh interim govt should be formed as per democratic principles and the will of Bangladeshi people: US

In an unusual development, a teenager in British Columbia has become the first person in <keyword id="19896882" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="canada" source="keywords">Canada</keyword> to test positive for <keyword id="95867" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bird-flu" source="Orion">bird flu</keyword>, the provincial health department announced. The youth is currently receiving treatment in a children's hospital for the <keyword id="23932297" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="H5-avian-influenza" source="keywords">H5 avian influenza</keyword> strain, with the source of infection and potential contacts under active investigation. According to British Columbia Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry, the infection likely came from an animal source. "This is a rare event," she noted. "We are conducting a thorough investigation to fully understand the source of exposure here in BC." <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="109603354" title="Bird flu could jump to humans any day. A former surgeon general says it feels like 2020 again." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Bird flu, most commonly found in wild birds and poultry, can sometimes infect humans through close contact or contaminated environments. Scientists have voiced growing concerns as avian flu has recently been detected in mammals, and a recent outbreak in US cattle has added to fears. Although human infections remain rare, experts worry that an increased rate of transmission could eventually lead to a virus mutation that allows human-to-human spread. The Canadian case comes shortly after another unusual incident in the United States, where a person in Missouri tested positive for bird flu without any known exposure to infected animals. While cases among farmworkers are known, these isolated incidents without clear animal sources add to the need for vigilance. Despite the isolated cases, there has been no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission of bird flu to date, which would otherwise signify a more serious public health risk. For now, health authorities in Canada are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further spread. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114819490" title="Bird flu was detected in a pig, and it could be a tipping point threatening more human transmission" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Bird flu alert in Canada as teen tests positive; officials launch investigation

At a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump in New York on Sunday, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk" target="_blank">Elon Musk</a> said he'd save the United States $2 trillion through a <keyword id="23593857" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Department-of-Government-Efficiency" source="keywords">department of government efficiency</keyword>. Howard Lutnick, the CEO of the financial-services company <keyword id="20371653" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cantor-Fitzgerald" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Cantor Fitzgerald" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Cantor Fitzgerald">Cantor Fitzgerald</keyword>, introduced Musk at the event. As he took the stage, Lutnick asked the Tesla and SpaceX CEO, "How much do you think we can rip out of this wasted $6.5 trillion <keyword id="23762349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Harris-Biden-budget" source="keywords">Harris-Biden budget</keyword>?" "I think we can do at least $2 trillion," Musk replied. "I mean, at the end of the day, you're being taxed. You're being taxed. All government spending is taxation. So whether it's direct taxation or all government spending, it either becomes inflation or it's direct taxation." Musk added: "Your money is being wasted, and the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-adopts-elon-musk-plan-cut-government-spending-efficiency-reform-2024-9" target="_blank">Department of Government Efficiency</a> is going to fix that. We're going to get the government off your back and out of your pocketbook." Trump has previously said he'd put Musk in charge of a department of government efficiency — or "DOGE," after the cryptocurrency — if he wins the election. Musk did not elaborate on policy changes or spending cuts he would implement if he were to join a second Trump administration. Musk and representatives for the Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The federal government's spending in the 2024 fiscal year was $6.75 trillion. Musk's suggested cuts would represent nearly a third of that sum. It's unclear where Musk's suggested cuts would come from. Both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have proposed various tax changes as part of their campaigns. Those proposed by Trump include ending taxes on tips and overtime, reducing the corporate tax rate, hiking tariffs on imports, and ending taxes on Social Security benefits. Harris has proposed tax credits for new parents and homeowners as well as an expansion to the Small Business Tax Deduction. When it comes to Social Security, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has said that neither Trump nor Harris has proposed a plan that would fix Social Security's finances but that Trump's proposals would "dramatically worsen Social Security's finances." Trump's campaign <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-presidency-would-make-things-worse-for-social-security-nonprofit-2024-10" target="_blank">has disputed</a> the findings of the CRFB's report. The Wall Street Journal organized a <a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/economists-say-inflation-deficits-will-be-higher-under-trump-than-harris-0365588e" target="_blank">survey</a> of 50 economists from October 4 to October 8 and found that 65% said the deficit would get worse with the policies Trump has proposed. <h2 style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Musk's growing support for Trump</h2>Musk, the world's richest person, has become one of Trump's staunchest and most vocal backers in this election cycle. Musk <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-donald-trump-feud-relationship-timeline-2022-7" target="_blank">endorsed Trump in July</a> after the former president survived an assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania. The two have discussed Musk holding a seat in Trump's Cabinet if the former president were to be reelected. During a livestream on X in August, Musk said he would be "happy to help out" with a government-efficiency commission. In a September speech, Trump again mentioned the commission, saying he'd want Musk to oversee the project. Musk's financial power is translating into real moves on the campaign trail. As of Friday, Musk has spent just under $119 million on his pro-Trump political action committee, America PAC. He has been hitting the road in the key swing state of Pennsylvania and holding his own rallies in support of Trump. Musk has also said he's launching a daily $1 million giveaway to a swing-state voter who signs his petition affirming support for free speech and the right to bear arms. Some election-law experts previously told BI the giveaway plan might be illegal. With the election just over a week away, the race between Harris and Trump remains on a razor's edge. A national poll by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/25/us/politics/poll-harris-trump-times-siena.html" target="_blank">The New York Times and Siena College</a> released Friday found Trump and Harris to be neck and neck at 48% for the popular vote. October 28, 2024, 3:08 a.m. ET: This story has been updated with context on Musk's comments about the prospect of taking on a government role, details about Musk's political spending in the 2024 election cycle, and details on Trump's and Harris' respective economic proposals.

Elon Musk took the stage at a Trump rally to talk about taxes and the 'Department of Government Efficiency'

In anticipation of the upcoming <keyword id="19894908" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="festive-season" source="keywords">festive season</keyword>, the central government has released over Rs 1.78 lakh crore to various states as part of its <keyword id="23500643" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="tax-revenue-devolution" source="keywords">tax revenue devolution</keyword>. This substantial disbursement, announced by the <keyword id="19900485" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Ministry" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Finance Ministry" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Finance Ministry">Finance Ministry</keyword> on Thursday, includes an advance instalment in addition to the standard monthly release, effectively doubling the usual allocation of Rs 89,086.50 crore for October 2024. The largest share of the funds went to Uttar Pradesh, which received Rs 31,962 crore. Bihar followed with Rs 17,921 crore, while Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal received Rs 13,987 crore and Rs 13,404 crore, respectively. This allocation underscores the central government's commitment to ensuring that states have the financial resources needed to stimulate development, especially during a period of increased economic activity ahead of the festive season. Among the other states, Andhra Pradesh received Rs 7,211 crore, Tamil Nadu received Rs 7,268 crore, and Gujarat received Rs 6,197 crore. In the Northeast, Meghalaya was allocated Rs 1,367 crore, Tripura Rs 1,261 crore, and Manipur Rs 1,276 crore. The Finance Ministry noted that the decision to release these funds was aimed at empowering states to ramp up <keyword id="20148453" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="capital-spending" source="keywords">capital spending</keyword> and support essential welfare and developmental projects. This accelerated funding is intended to boost critical <keyword id="19936648" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="infrastructure-projects" source="keywords">infrastructure projects</keyword> such as road construction, public facilities, and other state-led development initiatives. This announcement follows a high-level meeting involving the Finance Secretary and the Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs, emphasising the government’s commitment to sustaining <keyword id="19900794" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-growth" source="keywords">economic growth</keyword> through state-level investments. By providing the funds ahead of schedule, the Centre aims to ensure that states are equipped to meet the demands of the festive season, while also fostering sustained growth and long-term development. The Ministry emphasised that this tax devolution aligns with the recommendations of the Finance Commission, which plays a crucial role in determining the distribution of tax revenue between the Union and states. This year’s devolution reflects the central government’s ongoing focus on supporting states as they undertake vital infrastructure projects and social welfare initiatives. (With inputs from ANI)

Centre releases Rs 1.78 lakh crore to states for festive season, with largest shares to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh

Over the next week, super heavy showers are set to hit the Indian subcontinent, especially in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, South Interior Karnataka, Konkan and Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh, and Gujarat, the IMD (<keyword id="19963725" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Meteorological-Department" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Meteorological Department" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian Meteorological Department">Indian Meteorological Department</keyword>) has predicted. Yesterday, India's financial capital, Mumbai was hit by a surprise, albeit hefty deluge of rain. Consequently, a yellow alert was issued for Thane, Pune, Palghar and other areas near to Mumbai. Between October 13-16, very heavy rainfalls are also expected in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. It's no secret that incessant rains also bring about significant economic damages. As seen very often in the past, a constant barrage of torrential rains can also quickly create a flood-like situation, which can wipe away houses, vehicles and everything that comes in its way. Per media reports, the average economic impact on India due to <keyword id="19912527" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="floods" source="keywords">floods</keyword> between 2011 and 2021 has been a staggering Rs 25,805 crore. Imagine this-your entire se is flooded. Water has seeped into everything—your walls, furniture, and even the plumbing. Without a <keyword id="22058670" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="home-insurance" source="keywords">home insurance</keyword>, you'll have to spend a hefty amount towards repairs and to get your life and home back on track. <h2>Getting your home insured</h2>So, if you are wondering how to protect your hard earned material but immovable assets like house, the answer is right in front of you- Home Insurance. Says Dilip Baba, Head of Commercial and Speciality Underwriting, Go Digit General Insurance, "People usually spend their entire life savings on purchasing a home. However, people rarely think about how to protect their investment. By investing in the safety of home insurance, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your property is covered in case of unforeseen events. With home insurance, you can opt for three types of coverage-structure, content and comprehensive. While structure simply insures the physical, immovable formation of your house (walls, roofs), content coverage goes a step ahead and takes care of damage caused to your movable items like furniture, electronics and other items due to natural calamities, theft and more, up to a certain limit. This can also include any valuable artwork or antiques, or additional installation like solar panels you might have at your home. A comprehensive home insurance brings together both structure and contents in its insurance ambit. Having a home insurance can not just protect you from natural calamities like floods, but also from unforeseen events like theft, fire and more. The annual premium of a home insurance policy can range between Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000 depending on the type and extent of coverage taken. Before buying a policy, be sure to clarify whether it offers actual cash value, which considers depreciation, or replacement/reinstatement cost, which covers the full replacement without depreciation deductions. To be on the safe side, you can also choose additional covers like accidental death insurance, or rent coverage, if you lose out on rental income due to damage caused to your property. You can use the carpet area of your house to get a sense of your home insurance requirements. Other covers you can opt for include valuable contents (on agreed value basis under home contents cover), additional living expense cover, tenant liability insurance, among others. Says Amit Bhandari, Chief Technical Officer at Magma HDI General Insurance, "When selecting a policy, it’s crucial to assess the unique risks that your home may face, particularly if you live in an area susceptible to <keyword id="19922196" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="natural-disasters" source="keywords">natural disasters</keyword>. You should tailor your coverage to address these risks while considering premium reduction strategies, such as excluding unnecessary coverages".

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