President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday initiating a broad reduction of the federal government, targeting agencies and advisory committees deemed “unnecessary” by the administration. The order aims to cut spending, reduce bureaucracy, and “promote American freedom and innovation.”
The executive order directs the elimination of non-statutory functions in several agencies, including the Presidio Trust, the Inter-American Foundation, the United States African Development Foundation, and the United States Institute of Peace. The heads of these entities must report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) within 14 days, detailing which functions are legally required and which can be removed.
The order also calls for an end to the Presidential Management Fellows Program, a long-standing initiative that places top graduate students in government roles. Trump’s directive instructs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to withdraw associated regulations and revoke related executive orders dating back to the George W. Bush and Obama administrations.
In addition to agency cuts, the order eliminates several advisory committees, including:
- The Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid (USAID)
- The Academic Research Council and Credit Union Advisory Council (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)
- The Community Bank Advisory Council (FDIC)
- The Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Long COVID (HHS)
- The Health Equity Advisory Committee (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)
Trump has tasked top White House advisors with identifying further agencies and committees for elimination within 30 days.
The administration argues that reducing the federal government will minimize waste and curb inflation. Critics, however, warn that the cuts could disrupt essential services and weaken oversight in areas such as public health, financial regulation, and international development.
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