President Trump is Restoring Common Sense to Government

March 4, 2025

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Action Summary

Government Values and National Identity: President Trump asserts that government should work for the people, emphasizing traditional American values by designating English as the official language.
Dismantling DEI Initiatives: Declared an end to lower standards and discriminatory DEI initiatives; eliminated DEI offices, practices, and personnel, returning to merit-based hiring across federal agencies.
Legal and Administrative Actions: Dismissed Biden-era lawsuits against police and fire departments over hiring practices; Department of Justice initiated efforts to root out politically motivated lawfare from the previous administration.
Corporate and Regulatory Impacts: Triggered changes in the private sector with PBS, Disney, Goldman Sachs, and Institutional Shareholder Services discontinuing DEI programs or policies; FCC opened an investigation into Comcast’s DEI practices.
Federal Government Reforms: Ordered an end to federal censorship and anti-Christian bias; banned COVID-19 vaccine mandates for federally funded schools and reversed mandates on paper straws.
Second Amendment and Abortion Policies: Directed a review of regulations for potential infringements on Second Amendment rights and enforced the Hyde Amendment to bar taxpayer dollars from funding elective abortions.
Transparency and Historical Review: Ordered declassification of documents relating to the assassinations of key historical figures, including JFK Jr., RFK, and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Special Commemorations and Regulatory Changes: Proclaimed February 9, 2025, as “Gulf of America Day” following its establishment on mapping databases by the Department of the Interior; Department of Transportation terminated approval for New York City’s congestion pricing scheme.

Risks & Considerations

The designation of English as the official language may impact Vanderbilt University’s language programs and international student recruitment strategies. This could necessitate adjustments in language offerings and support services for non-native English speakers.
The elimination of DEI initiatives and a return to merit-based hiring could affect Vanderbilt’s diversity and inclusion efforts. The university may need to reassess its own DEI policies and practices to align with federal guidelines while maintaining its commitment to diversity.
The ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates at federally funded schools could influence Vanderbilt’s health and safety protocols, particularly if the university receives federal funding. This may require a reevaluation of current health policies to ensure compliance.
The rollback of DEI policies in major corporations and institutions could lead to a shift in the job market, affecting Vanderbilt graduates’ employment opportunities and the skills they need to succeed in a changing workplace environment.
The examination of regulations related to the Second Amendment and the enforcement of the Hyde Amendment may have indirect effects on campus policies and student activism, potentially influencing campus climate and discourse.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion may need to adapt its strategies and initiatives to align with the new federal stance on DEI, ensuring that the university continues to foster an inclusive environment.
The School of Medicine might need to review its vaccination policies and health protocols in light of the federal ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates, particularly if federal funding is involved.
Language and International Programs could be impacted by the official language designation, requiring adjustments in curriculum and support services for international students and those studying foreign languages.
Career Services may need to provide additional guidance and resources to students navigating a job market that is shifting away from DEI-focused hiring practices.

Financial Impact

The changes in DEI policies and the potential reduction in DEI-related funding could impact Vanderbilt’s budget allocations for diversity initiatives and programs.
The ban on vaccine mandates at federally funded institutions may affect federal funding eligibility, necessitating a review of compliance and funding strategies.
Adjustments in language programs and support services for international students could require additional resources or reallocation of existing funds to maintain program quality and student support.
The potential impact on the job market and hiring practices may influence the university’s career services and alumni relations, potentially affecting funding and support from corporate partners.

Relevance Score: 4 (The actions present a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs and policies at Vanderbilt University.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion should evaluate the impact of the elimination of DEI initiatives on its programs and policies. This includes assessing how changes in federal policies might affect university hiring practices and diversity programs.
The Office of Federal Relations should monitor developments related to the ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates at federally funded schools. Understanding these changes will be crucial for compliance and for advising on health policy adjustments.
Vanderbilt’s Legal Department should review the implications of the full enforcement of the Hyde Amendment on university funding and research initiatives, particularly those related to healthcare and reproductive rights.
The Department of Political Science should conduct research on the broader societal impacts of the rollback of DEI initiatives and the designation of English as the official language. This research can provide valuable insights into how these policies affect social dynamics and educational equity.
Vanderbilt’s Environmental Policy Program should analyze the implications of the rollback of the paper straw mandate and other environmental regulations. This analysis can inform the university’s sustainability initiatives and public policy recommendations.

Opportunities

The changes in DEI policies present an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Peabody College to lead research on the effects of merit-based hiring and the elimination of DEI offices. By contributing to the academic discourse, Peabody can influence future policy developments.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on merit-based practices by developing new programs and partnerships that emphasize academic excellence and innovation. This could include joint research initiatives and collaborative projects with other institutions.
The emphasis on ending censorship by the federal government offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Communication Studies Department to engage in policy analysis and advocacy. By providing evidence-based recommendations, the department can influence how these policies are implemented and understood.
The order’s focus on examining regulations related to the Second Amendment aligns with Vanderbilt’s commitment to legal scholarship. The university can develop targeted research and outreach programs to explore the implications of these regulatory changes.
By engaging with the broader educational and policy community, Vanderbilt can position itself as a leader in the national conversation on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hosting conferences, workshops, and public forums on the implications of these policy changes can further establish Vanderbilt as a hub for innovative thought and practice.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to impacts on diversity, inclusion, and health policies.)

Average Relevance Score: 4

Timeline for Implementation

Immediately: The Department of Justice began rooting out politically motivated lawfare without delay.
February 9, 2025: Proclamation of “Gulf of America Day” as established by the Department of the Interior.

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Justice: Directed to root out politically motivated lawfare from the previous administration, affecting its prosecutorial and oversight functions.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): Impacted by the shift to merit-based hiring, with the elimination of special recruitment practices previously in place.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Involved in investigating Comcast over discriminatory DEI policies as part of the administration’s broader regulatory changes.
Department of the Interior: Tasked with officially establishing “Gulf of America Day” on its mapping databases following the presidential proclamation.
Department of Transportation: Responsible for terminating the approval of New York City’s congestion pricing scheme according to the directive.

Relevance Score: 2 (A small number of Federal Agencies are impacted by the executive action.)

Responsible Officials

Department of Justice (Attorney General) – Charged with rooting out politically motivated lawfare from the prior administration.
Federal Communications Commission – Responsible for investigating discriminatory DEI policies at Comcast.
Department of the Interior (Secretary of the Interior) – Tasked with the official establishment of “Gulf of America Day” on federal mapping databases.
Department of Transportation (Secretary of Transportation) – In charge of terminating New York City’s congestion pricing scheme.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect Cabinet-level officials and agency heads with broad implementation responsibilities.)