President Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday aimed at eliminating several federal advisory committees in an effort to reduce government waste and streamline priorities. The order targets organizations such as the Presidio Trust, the Inter-American Foundation, the United States African Development Foundation, and the United States Institute of Peace, all of which have received federal funding.
The administration, in collaboration with Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is aggressively working to reduce the size of the federal government to minimize waste and abuse, ultimately aiming to reduce inflation. Cutting these entities and committees is expected to save taxpayer dollars and reduce unnecessary government spending.
The named organizations have been given 14 days to submit reports to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to confirm compliance and provide explanations if any part of their entity is deemed necessary. Additionally, various advisory committees such as the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid and the Health Equity Advisory Committee are set to be terminated.
Another executive order signed by Trump instructs DOGE and federal agencies to coordinate efforts to significantly reduce the size of the federal government. Agencies are prohibited from hiring more than one employee for every four that leave their federal post, and plans for large-scale reductions in force are to be undertaken.
Within 30 days of the order, the President's assistants for National Security Affairs, Economic Policy, and Domestic Policy are required to identify and submit a list of additional committees and boards for termination. The administration emphasized that these actions are in line with the President's commitment to fulfilling his promise to 'drain the swamp' and eliminate ineffective government programs.
President Trump expressed his determination to address issues affecting the country and expressed hope for cooperation from the court system in implementing these changes. While he stated his willingness to abide by court rulings, he also mentioned the possibility of appealing decisions that may hinder the administration's efforts.
