Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Cuts Costs, Brings Government to the People

4/15/2025

Fact Sheets

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Action Summary

Rescinding Past Restrictions: Reverses two longstanding executive actions from the Carter and Clinton administrations that limited where federal agencies could locate their facilities.
Enhanced Flexibility: Permits federal agencies to select office space based on cost-effectiveness, mission suitability, and service to the American people.
Regulatory Update: The General Services Administration (GSA) is directed to update its federal office space management regulations to align with the new order.
Bringing Government to the People: Eliminates counterproductive location mandates that previously prioritized central business districts and historic areas, thereby improving service delivery and efficiency.
Government Property Profile: Highlights that the GSA manages approximately 363 million rentable square feet across 8,397 buildings in over 2,200 communities, with deferred maintenance liabilities exceeding $17 billion.
Return to In-Person Work: Reaffirms the administration’s Day One Executive Order mandating a return to in-person work to address federal office space underutilization.
Common Sense Management: Reorients federal office space management towards a cost-effective and taxpayer-friendly approach, aiming to right-size the federal real estate portfolio.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order rescinding previous restrictions on federal office locations could lead to a decentralization of federal services, potentially impacting the accessibility of these services for communities that previously benefited from centralized locations.
While the focus on cost-effectiveness and mission suitability may improve efficiency, there is a risk that it could also lead to reduced investment in historic properties and central business districts, potentially affecting local economies and cultural heritage.
The shift in federal office space management may influence Vanderbilt University’s partnerships with federal agencies, particularly if these agencies relocate or change their operational focus.
Vanderbilt may need to consider how changes in federal office locations could impact its research collaborations, particularly those that rely on proximity to federal facilities.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Real Estate and Facilities Management may need to reassess its strategies for engaging with federal agencies, particularly if there are changes in the demand for office space in Nashville.
The Office of Federal Relations might need to adjust its advocacy and partnership strategies to align with the new federal office space management policies.
Vanderbilt’s Community Engagement Initiatives could be affected if federal services become less accessible to local communities, necessitating increased support and resources from the university.

Financial Impact

The reallocation of federal office locations could impact local economies, potentially affecting Vanderbilt’s community partnerships and economic development initiatives.
Changes in federal office space management may influence the availability of federal grants and contracts, particularly those related to infrastructure and community development.
Vanderbilt may need to explore new funding opportunities or partnerships to mitigate any negative financial impacts resulting from changes in federal office locations.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks involving potential changes in partnerships and community engagement strategies.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should monitor changes in federal office space management regulations to identify potential opportunities for collaboration or partnerships with federal agencies that may relocate closer to the university. This could enhance research and internship opportunities for students.
The Department of Political Science could conduct research on the impacts of federal office relocations on local economies and communities. This research can provide valuable insights into how these changes affect regional development and public service delivery.
Vanderbilt’s Real Estate Office should assess the potential impact of federal office relocations on local real estate markets. Understanding these dynamics could inform strategic decisions regarding campus expansion or property investments.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Center for Urban and Regional Planning to engage in policy analysis and advocacy regarding the siting of federal facilities. By providing evidence-based recommendations, the center can influence how these decisions are made to benefit local communities.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased flexibility in federal office locations by developing new programs and partnerships with federal agencies. This could include joint research initiatives, student internships, and collaborative projects that enhance Vanderbilt’s reputation and reach in public service sectors.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents some adjustments needed to processes or procedures due to potential impacts on local economies and opportunities for collaboration with federal agencies.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.2

Timeline for Implementation

Immediate (Day One): The Executive Order mandates that federal employees return to in-person work effective on Day One of the new administration.
Regulatory Update: The Administrator of the General Services Administration is tasked with updating federal office space management regulations; however, no specific deadline was provided.

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

General Services Administration (GSA): The GSA is directed to update federal office space management regulations in accordance with the Order, enabling agencies to select facilities based on mission suitability and cost-effectiveness.
Federal Agencies: All federal agencies are now empowered to determine office locations without the previous locational restrictions, broadening their ability to serve the American people efficiently.

Relevance Score: 1 (Only 1 or 2 agencies are directly impacted by the order.)

Responsible Officials

Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) – Tasked with updating federal office space management regulations to align with the Executive Order.

Relevance Score: 4 (The directive impacts the head of a key federal agency responsible for office space management.)