Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Reduces the Federal Bureaucracy

February 19, 2025

Fact Sheets

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Objective: Reduce the federal bureaucracy to enhance accountability, cut waste, and promote innovation within the government.
Streamlining Efforts: Eliminate or minimize unnecessary government entities and Federal advisory committees; a list of additional entities for termination is due within 30 days.
Reducing Government Overreach: Align the reduction of the federal footprint with the administration’s policy to return power to local communities and state governments by slashing waste, fraud, and abuse identified by the Department of Government Efficiency.
Organizational Reforms: Establish the Department of Government Efficiency to streamline federal programs and enforce a 10-to-1 deregulation initiative for every new rule.
Program Cuts: Recent actions include eliminating the Federal Executive Institute and pausing foreign aid to several international and non-governmental organizations to ensure expenditures support American values.

The reduction of Federal bureaucracy and the elimination of advisory committees could impact research funding and collaboration opportunities for universities, including Vanderbilt. This may lead to decreased access to federal grants and resources that support academic research and development.
The emphasis on reducing government overreach and streamlining priorities might result in changes to regulatory frameworks that universities must navigate, potentially affecting compliance and operational procedures.
The temporary pause on foreign aid to non-governmental organizations and international entities could affect Vanderbilt’s international partnerships and programs, particularly those relying on federal support or collaboration with affected organizations.
The elimination of the Federal Executive Institute and similar programs may reduce opportunities for leadership training and development for university administrators and faculty involved in government-related initiatives.

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations may need to increase its efforts to monitor and adapt to changes in federal policies and funding opportunities, ensuring the university remains aligned with new government priorities.
Research centers and institutes at Vanderbilt that rely on federal funding may need to diversify their funding sources and explore alternative partnerships to mitigate potential reductions in federal support.
The International Programs Office might need to reassess its strategies for maintaining and expanding global partnerships in light of changes to foreign aid policies.
Leadership development programs within the university may need to seek alternative resources and partnerships to compensate for the loss of federal training programs.

The reduction in federal spending and the elimination of certain programs could lead to decreased funding availability for research and development projects at Vanderbilt, necessitating adjustments in budgeting and financial planning.
Vanderbilt may need to explore new funding avenues and strengthen relationships with private sector partners to offset potential declines in federal support.
Changes in regulatory frameworks could result in increased compliance costs or require investments in new systems and processes to ensure adherence to updated policies.
The potential impact on international programs and partnerships may affect tuition revenue from international students and the university’s global engagement initiatives.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks involving compliance and potential impacts on funding and partnerships.)

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should monitor the list of government entities and advisory committees slated for termination. Understanding which entities are affected could help the university anticipate changes in federal funding or support that may impact its programs.
Vanderbilt’s Research Administration should assess the impact of reduced federal bureaucracy on research funding opportunities. By identifying potential shifts in funding priorities, the university can adapt its research strategies to align with new federal guidelines.
The Department of Political Science should conduct research on the implications of reduced federal oversight and increased state power. This research can provide insights into how these changes might affect policy-making and governance at the state level, which could influence Vanderbilt’s strategic planning.
Vanderbilt’s Financial Planning Office should evaluate the potential financial impacts of reduced federal spending on university programs. By understanding these impacts, the university can develop strategies to mitigate financial risks and explore alternative funding sources.

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Center for Innovation to engage in projects that align with the federal government’s focus on innovation and efficiency. By developing partnerships with state governments and local communities, the center can contribute to innovative solutions that address local needs.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the emphasis on accountability and efficiency by showcasing its own initiatives in these areas. This could enhance the university’s reputation as a leader in effective governance and management practices.
The reduction in federal bureaucracy may lead to increased opportunities for Vanderbilt’s Public Policy Studies to influence policy development at the state level. By engaging with state policymakers, the university can play a role in shaping policies that align with its values and priorities.

Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures due to potential changes in federal funding and oversight.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.4

Within 30 days: A list of additional unnecessary government entities and advisory committees must be submitted to the President for termination.

Relevance Score: 5

Unnecessary Governmental Entities and Federal Advisory Committees: The Executive Order mandates the elimination or significant reduction of these bodies, pending a review and submission of a termination list within 30 days.
Federal Executive Institute: This program has been eliminated as part of the effort to cut waste and reduce bureaucratic redundancy.
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE): Newly established to identify and curb waste, fraud, and abuse across Federal operations.

Relevance Score: 2 (Three to five key Federal entities are directly impacted by this Executive Order.)

President Donald J. Trump – As the chief executive, he directs the overall reduction of the Federal bureaucracy and reviews the list of entities identified for elimination.
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – Tasked with analyzing federal waste and inefficiency, it is responsible for compiling the list of unnecessary governmental entities and advisory committees to be submitted to the President within 30 days.

Relevance Score: 4 (Directives impact agency heads and top executive officials responsible for strategic implementation across federal agencies.)