President-elect Donald Trump has unveiled an ambitious agenda to overhaul the federal government, proposing the elimination of entire agencies and significant reductions in the federal workforce. With a Republican-controlled Congress and a judiciary reshaped by his prior appointments, Trump may find fewer obstacles in implementing these sweeping changes.
Challenging the Impoundment Control Act
One of Trump’s strategies involves revisiting the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, which limits a president’s ability to withhold funds appropriated by Congress. Historically, presidents like Richard Nixon used impoundment to curb spending on programs they opposed. In a 2023 campaign video, Trump expressed his intent to challenge this act, potentially restoring presidential authority to unilaterally reduce federal spending.
Reinstating ‘Schedule F’
Another focal point is the potential reinstatement of “Schedule F,” an executive order from October 2020 that aimed to reclassify certain federal employees, stripping them of civil service protections and making them easier to dismiss. Although it was not fully implemented before being revoked by President Biden, Trump has indicated plans to revive this policy, which could lead to significant changes in federal employment practices.
Outsourcing Government Efficiency
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have been named by Trump to head the recently established “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), an outside consulting organization entrusted with locating and cutting unnecessary government expenditures. Operating outside traditional government structures, DOGE aims to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget. However, experts question the feasibility of such reductions without congressional approval and express concerns over potential conflicts of interest, given Musk’s and Ramaswamy’s business ventures.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
While these initiatives reflect a bold vision for restructuring the federal government, they are likely to face legal challenges and ethical scrutiny. The Impoundment Control Act has been upheld for decades, and any attempt to bypass it could lead to significant legal battles. Similarly, reinstating Schedule F may encounter resistance from federal employee unions and could impact the government’s ability to attract and retain skilled personnel.
As Trump prepares to implement these plans, the balance of power between the executive branch and other government institutions will be tested, raising questions about the future of federal governance and the potential implications for public administration.
