Cabinet Wins: Trump Administration Unleashing Golden Age

March 7, 2025

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Action Summary

Energy Policy and Infrastructure:
- The Department of Energy approved an LNG permit extension for the Golden Pass LNG Terminal in Texas, reversing a previous administration’s ban.
- An $18 billion investment by Venture Global in Louisiana’s Plaquemines LNG export facility was announced, reflecting strengthened energy policies.
- The Department of the Interior secured a new ten-year lease with Williams Transco for critical energy infrastructure in New York City.
National Security and Law Enforcement:
- The Department of Justice arrested an ISIS-K terrorist responsible for the murder of 13 U.S. service members and dismantled a major human smuggling ring.
- The Department of State designated the Iran-backed Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and imposed visa restrictions on foreign officials and students linked to terrorism.
Border Security and Immigration:
- Illegal border crossings hit record lows, with a dramatic decrease at the Del Rio Sector.
Defense and Veterans Affairs:
- The Department of Defense renamed Fort Moore, Georgia, to Fort Benning in honor of a World War I hero.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs terminated 585 non-mission-critical contracts, redirecting $900 million toward enhanced healthcare and benefits.
Economic and Regulatory Reforms:
- The Department of the Treasury suspended burdensome reporting requirements affecting small businesses.
- The Small Business Administration reformed processes by requiring citizenship verification on loan applications and moving offices out of “sanctuary cities.”
Health and Safety Measures:
- The Department of Health and Human Services, through CMS, alerted hospitals to safeguard minors from irreversible procedures, in line with an executive order.
- The CDC introduced a tool to detail conflicts of interest among its vaccine advisory committee members.
Anti-Semitism and Campus Actions:
- A coalition of departments canceled $400 million in federal grants to Columbia University over inaction on protecting Jewish students, followed by additional measures to fight anti-Semitism on college campuses.
Transportation and Housing:
- The Department of Transportation took steps to improve public transportation safety in Washington, D.C.
- HUD extended foreclosure relief for residents affected by the Los Angeles County wildfires.
Environmental Stewardship and Fiscal Responsibility:
- The EPA canceled 21 wasteful grants, saving over $116 million in taxpayer dollars, contributing to a total savings of more than $287 million.

Risks & Considerations

The Department of Justice’s actions against Columbia University for inaction on anti-Semitism could set a precedent for increased scrutiny on universities, including Vanderbilt, regarding their policies and actions to protect students from discrimination. This may require Vanderbilt to review and potentially strengthen its own policies to avoid similar repercussions.
The Department of Education’s measures to combat anti-Semitism on college campuses could lead to increased federal oversight and potential funding implications for universities that do not comply with these measures. Vanderbilt may need to ensure compliance to maintain federal funding and avoid reputational damage.
The suspension of invasive reporting requirements by the Department of the Treasury could impact Vanderbilt’s financial operations, particularly if similar measures are applied to educational institutions. This may require adjustments in compliance and reporting processes.
The Department of Health and Human Services’ alert to hospital providers regarding the protection of minors from certain medical practices may influence Vanderbilt’s medical programs and partnerships, necessitating policy reviews and potential changes in medical education and practice.
The Department of Energy’s focus on LNG and energy infrastructure investments may present opportunities for Vanderbilt’s research programs in energy and environmental sciences, but also requires awareness of potential environmental and regulatory challenges.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt Law School may need to provide expertise and guidance on compliance with new federal regulations and policies, particularly those related to anti-discrimination and anti-Semitism measures.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center might need to review its policies and practices in light of the Department of Health and Human Services’ directives regarding medical treatments for minors.
The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion could play a crucial role in ensuring that Vanderbilt’s policies align with federal anti-discrimination measures, potentially requiring additional resources and strategic planning.
Vanderbilt’s Energy and Environmental Research Programs may find new opportunities for collaboration and funding in response to the Department of Energy’s initiatives, but must also consider the environmental implications of such partnerships.

Financial Impact

The cancellation of federal grants to institutions like Columbia University highlights the financial risks associated with non-compliance to federal anti-discrimination policies. Vanderbilt must ensure compliance to safeguard its funding sources.
Changes in federal reporting requirements could impact Vanderbilt’s administrative costs and processes, necessitating potential investments in compliance infrastructure and training.
Opportunities for research funding in energy and environmental sciences may increase, but require careful navigation of regulatory and environmental considerations to maximize benefits.
Potential changes in healthcare policies could affect Vanderbilt’s medical programs and partnerships, impacting funding and operational strategies.

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 Federal Relations should monitor changes in federal grant policies, particularly those related to anti-Semitism on college campuses. Understanding these changes can help the university align its policies and potentially secure federal funding.
Vanderbilt’s Energy and Environmental Policy Program should explore opportunities for research and collaboration in light of the Department of Energy’s LNG permit extensions and investments. This could enhance the university’s involvement in energy policy and infrastructure development.
Vanderbilt’s Small Business Development Center should assess the impact of the Small Business Administration’s reforms on local businesses and provide guidance to entrepreneurs on navigating new citizenship verification requirements.
Vanderbilt’s Health Policy Center should evaluate the implications of the Department of Health and Human Services’ new guidelines on protecting children from irreversible medical procedures. This could inform the university’s health policy research and advocacy efforts.
Vanderbilt’s Department of Political Science should analyze the broader societal impacts of the Department of State’s visa restrictions and designations of foreign terrorist organizations. This research can provide insights into international relations and security policies.

Opportunities

The executive actions present an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Law School to engage in legal research and advocacy related to the Department of Justice’s actions against human smuggling and terrorism. This could enhance the university’s role in shaping legal frameworks and policies.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on energy infrastructure by developing partnerships with energy companies and government agencies. This could include joint research initiatives and educational programs, enhancing Vanderbilt’s reputation in the energy sector.
The emphasis on reducing wasteful government spending offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Public Policy Studies to engage in policy analysis and recommendations. By providing evidence-based insights, the university can influence how government resources are allocated and used efficiently.
The order’s focus on improving public transportation safety aligns with Vanderbilt’s commitment to sustainability and urban planning. The university can develop targeted research and outreach programs to enhance transportation systems and safety measures.
By engaging with the broader educational community and policymakers, Vanderbilt can position itself as a leader in the national conversation on anti-Semitism and campus safety. Hosting conferences, workshops, and public forums on these issues can further establish Vanderbilt as a hub for innovative educational thought and practice.

Relevance Score: 4 (The executive actions present significant opportunities and challenges that require major process changes and strategic planning for Vanderbilt’s programs.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.8

Timeline for Implementation

N/A — The summary does not provide any explicit deadlines or timelines for implementing the directives.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Energy: Involved in LNG permit extensions and facilitating energy investments, reflecting direct regulatory and promotional actions in the energy sector.
Department of the Interior: Partnered with the Department of Energy for energy infrastructure initiatives and managed leasing agreements affecting critical infrastructure.
Department of Justice: Conducted high-profile arrests related to terrorism and human smuggling and implemented grant cancellations tied to campus anti-Semitism.
Department of State: Designated foreign organizations as terrorist entities and imposed visa restrictions, signaling a shift in foreign policy and security measures.
Department of Homeland Security: Reported significant decreases in illegal border crossings, underscoring policy successes in border management.
Department of Defense: Renamed a key military installation, reflecting changes in military heritage and institutional honors.
Department of the Treasury: Suspended enforcement of burdensome reporting requirements, altering oversight and administrative burdens on small businesses.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (within HHS): Alerted hospital providers regarding executive measures to protect American children from specific medical procedures.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (within HHS): Launched a new tool to detail conflicts of interest on its vaccine advisory committee, highlighting issues of transparency and regulation.
Department of Education: Collaborated on canceling federal grants to address campus anti-Semitism and introduced measures to further combat the issue.
U.S. General Services Administration: Joined efforts with other agencies to cancel federal grants, affecting funding and operational oversight in education and health sectors.
Department of Transportation: Took measures to enhance public transportation safety as federal workers resumed office operations in Washington, D.C.
Department of Housing and Urban Development: Extended foreclosure relief measures for Californians impacted by wildfire disasters, underscoring its role in housing stability.
Department of Veterans Affairs: Initiated contract terminations to reallocate savings towards veteran health care, benefits, and services.
Environmental Protection Agency: Canceled multiple wasteful grants, achieving significant taxpayer savings and reinforcing fiscal responsibility.
Small Business Administration: Implemented reforms that include citizenship verification on loan applications and relocation of offices from sanctuary cities, impacting small business operations and regulatory compliance.

Relevance Score: 5 (A directive impacting 16 or more diverse Federal agencies across multiple sectors of government.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of Energy – Responsible for executing the LNG permit extension and facilitating energy investments.
Secretary of the Interior – Oversees lease agreements and domestic energy infrastructure actions.
Attorney General – Implements law enforcement actions including terrorism arrests, anti-smuggling operations, and cancels federal grants as directed.
Secretary of State – Carries out foreign policy directives such as designating foreign terrorist organizations and imposing visa restrictions.
Secretary of Homeland Security – Manages directives aimed at border security improvements and reducing illegal crossings.
Secretary of Defense – Executes military-related directives, including the renaming of military installations.
Secretary of the Treasury – Implements policies to suspend regulatory reporting requirements affecting small business operations.
Secretary of Health and Human Services – Oversees healthcare directives through CMS and CDC initiatives addressing public health measures and administrative alerts.
Secretary of Education – Participates in actions canceling federal grants and introducing measures to counter campus anti-Semitism.
Secretary of Transportation – Responsible for directives aimed at improving public transportation safety amidst a return-to-office strategy.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs – Implements the directive to terminate non-mission-critical contracts and reallocate savings to veteran services.
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency – Executes initiatives to cancel wasteful grants, achieving significant taxpayer savings.
Administrator of the Small Business Administration – Carries out reforms that prioritize citizenship verification in loan applications and adjust office locations.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect multiple Cabinet and agency heads, indicating high-level strategic impact on national policy implementation.)