Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
President Trump signed an executive order Monday directing the head of each executive branch agency to submit proposals to the White House Office of Management and Budget for potential reorganization that could lead to cuts and consolidation.
All agency heads are ordered to produce their efficiency proposals within the next 180 days to potentially "reorganize governmental functions and eliminate unnecessary agencies," the order states.
The proposals should also include the costs of "shutting down or merging agencies, components, or programs, including the costs of addressing the equities of affected agency staff" should such measure be deemed appropriate, according to the order.
Trump's focus on executive branch efficiencies comes as some lawmakers have criticized the administration for failing to nominate and appoint senior-level leaders. For instance, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) has been vocal about his concern that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is the Trump administration's sole Senate-confirmed official at the Pentagon.
Trump told Fox and Friends last month that he had no plans to fill many executive branch positions, deeming them "unnecessary."