February 19, 2025
President Orders Federal Bureaucracy Reduction to Curb Waste and Promote Efficiency
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a decisive move to reshape the structure of the federal government, President Trump signed an executive order on February 19, 2025, aimed at reducing the size and scope of federal bureaucracy. The administration’s goal is to increase accountability, minimize waste, and foster innovation while alleviating inflationary pressures on the economy.
The executive order, titled “Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,” outlines a comprehensive strategy to eliminate non-essential components of federal agencies and advisory committees. This marks a significant policy shift, underscoring the administration’s commitment to streamlining governance and enhancing its efficiency.
Key Provisions of the Executive Order:
- Elimination of Unnecessary Entities: The order targets several governmental entities, including the Presidio Trust, the Inter-American Foundation, the U.S. African Development Foundation, and the United States Institute of Peace. Each agency is required to review its functions and report its compliance to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) within 14 days.
- Termination of Programs and Advisory Committees: Federal Advisory Committees, such as the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid and the Health Equity Advisory Committee, will be dissolved. Similarly, programs like the Presidential Management Fellows Program, which has operated since 2003, are set to end, reflecting the administration’s emphasis on cutting costs and refocusing priorities.
- Revocation of Previous Policies: The order repeals the 1961 Presidential Memorandum on regional coordination of federal activities, signaling a departure from policies that have historically expanded federal reach. Additionally, changes to prior executive orders will streamline hiring practices for federal internships and fellowships.
- Future Recommendations for Downsizing: Within 30 days, senior advisors to the President will provide a comprehensive list of additional entities and committees deemed unnecessary for termination.
In a statement, the White House emphasized the broader purpose of this initiative. “Reducing federal bureaucracy is essential to restoring trust in government, combating inefficiencies, and enabling American businesses and communities to thrive without undue interference.”
Economic Impacts and Criticism:
The administration asserts that downsizing the federal workforce and cutting redundant programs will help reduce inflation and support private-sector innovation. Critics, however, argue that the elimination of certain programs and advisory committees could undermine government oversight and public welfare initiatives. Opponents warn that reducing personnel and funding may lead to significant service disruptions in key areas, such as healthcare equity and community banking.
Supporters of the order see it as a necessary step toward fiscal responsibility. “This is about cutting waste, not essential services,” stated a senior administration official. “The government should serve the people, not the other way around.”
Next Steps:
Federal agencies affected by this order must submit compliance reports within the next two weeks. Meanwhile, advisors are preparing further recommendations for future reductions, ensuring the policy evolves to meet the administration’s overarching objectives.
This executive order represents a bold stance on federal reform, setting the stage for a broader debate on the balance between government intervention and efficiency.
Read the original Executive Order of Trump
EXECUTIVE ORDER
February 19, 2025
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose. It is the policy of my Administration to dramatically reduce the size of the Federal Government, while increasing its accountability to the American people. This order commences a reduction in the elements of the Federal bureaucracy that the President has determined are unnecessary. Reducing the size of the Federal Government will minimize Government waste and abuse, reduce inflation, and promote American freedom and innovation.
Sec. 2. Reducing the Scope of the Federal Bureaucracy. (a) The non-statutory components and functions of the following governmental entities shall be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, and such entities shall reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law:
(i) the Presidio Trust;
(ii) the Inter-American Foundation;
(iii) the United States African Development Foundation; and
(iv) the United States Institute of Peace.
(b) Within 14 days of the date of this order, the head of each unnecessary governmental entity listed in subsection (a) of this section shall submit a report to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB Director) confirming compliance with this order and stating whether the governmental entity, or any components or functions thereof, are statutorily required and to what extent.
(c) In reviewing budget requests submitted by the governmental entities listed in subsection (a) of this section, the OMB Director or the head of any executive department or agency charged with reviewing grant requests by such entities shall, to the extent consistent with applicable law and except insofar as necessary to effectuate an expected termination, reject funding requests for such governmental entities to the extent they are inconsistent with this order.
(d) The Presidential Memorandum of November 13, 1961 (Need for Greater Coordination of Regional and Field Activities of the Government), is hereby revoked. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM Director) is directed to initiate the process to withdraw the regulations at title 5, part 960, Code of Federal Regulations, thereby eliminating the Federal Executive Boards.
(e) The OPM Director is directed to initiate the process to withdraw the regulations at title 5, part 362, subpart D, Code of Federal Regulations, and to take any other steps necessary to promptly terminate the Presidential Management Fellows Program. On the effective date of the final regulations promulgated by the OPM Director, Executive Order 13318 of November 21, 2003, is revoked and Executive Order 13562 of December 27, 2010, is amended by:
(i) striking from section 2 the words “along with the Presidential Management Fellows Program, as modified herein,”;
(ii) striking section 5;
(iii) striking from section 6(b) the words “or PMF Programs” and inserting in their place “program”;
(iv) striking from section 7(b)(iii) the words “the competitive service of Interns, Recent Graduates, or PMFs (or a Government-wide combined conversion cap applicable to all three categories together)” and inserting in their place “the competitive service of Interns or Recent Graduates (or a Government-wide combined conversion cap applicable to both categories together)”; and
(v) redesignating sections 6, 7, 8, and 9 as sections 5, 6, 7, and 8 respectively.
(f) Within 14 days of the date of this order, the following heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall take the following actions with respect to the following Federal Advisory Committees within their respective agencies:
(i) the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development shall terminate the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid;
(ii) the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection shall terminate the Academic Research Council and the Credit Union Advisory Council;
(iii) the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation shall terminate the Community Bank Advisory Council;
(iv) the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall terminate the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Long COVID; and
(v) the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services shall terminate the Health Equity Advisory Committee.
(g) Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy shall identify and submit to the President additional unnecessary governmental entities and Federal Advisory Committees that should be terminated on grounds that they are unnecessary.
Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
February 19, 2025.
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