Trump Takes Bold Action to Streamline Federal Advisory Boards with Executive Order

On Wednesday, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at dismantling several federal advisory committees. This move reflects Trump’s ongoing efforts to trim the size of the federal government while enhancing efficiency and reducing expenditure.

Focus on Key Agencies

The executive order specifically targets the Presidio Trust, the Inter-American Foundation, the United States African Development Foundation, and the United States Institute of Peace. All of these agencies receive federal funding and are now under scrutiny as part of this reduction initiative.

Curbing Government Expenditures

In collaboration with entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, the President aims to reduce waste and address inflation concerns by curbing excessive government spending.

Elimination of Non-Essential Committees

This initiative also includes directives for various federal departments to eliminate additional advisory boards. For instance, the Administrator of USAID has been instructed to terminate the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid. Furthermore, the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection will dissolve the Academic Research Council and the Credit Union Advisory Council. The FDIC will be required to disband the Community Bank Advisory Council, while the Secretary of Health and Human Services must end the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Long COVID. The CMS Administrator is also tasked with dissolving the Health Equity Advisory Committee.

Compliance Deadline for Agencies

The organizations under the executive order have been given 14 days to submit reports to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. These reports must confirm compliance and outline the necessity of each entity’s functions. If a department considers its role essential, it must provide a detailed justification.

Systematic Workforce Reductions

This executive order coincides with a separate order issued by Trump on Tuesday. That order prompted DOGE to collaborate with federal agencies in executing substantial staffing cuts across the government. The directive emphasizes a hiring freeze, allowing agencies to onboard a new employee only for every four that exit their federal positions.

Moreover, agencies have been instructed to prepare plans for large-scale workforce reductions and reassess areas where functions can be eliminated or combined, particularly those that are not mandated by law.

Further Actions Required

Trump has mandated that within the next 30 days, his senior assistants must identify additional committees and boards for possible termination. This measure aims to further eliminate inefficiencies within the government structure.

The Vision for Government Reform

The administration underscores that President Trump was elected by the American populace to drain the swamp and eradicate ineffective government programs. There is a clear intention to pivot towards a government model that prioritizes tangible results over bureaucratic empowerment. According to Trump’s administration, this streamlining strategy will provide significant savings to taxpayers and redirect focus towards more pressing government priorities.

Addressing Public Concerns

In light of this major restructuring, Trump expressed his commitment to addressing the issues plaguing the nation. Several public sectors are notably anxious about the president’s aggressive cuts, leading to increased feelings of job insecurity among federal employees.

“I hope that the court system is going to allow us to do what we have to do,” Trump stated. He reaffirmed his readiness to follow the judicial process but also indicated his willingness to challenge rulings that he feels obstruct progress.

A New Era of Government Efficiency

These recent moves signal a pivotal moment in Trump’s approach to governance. With a focus on operational efficiency and spending accountability, the administration aims to rebuild public confidence in government capabilities. Through these reforms, it is hoped that the federal structure will become more agile, responsive, and better aligned with the needs of the American people.