President Trump’s Executive Orders—Why?

Part 2

Introduction

During his first days in office President Trump signed over 50 executive orders.  As of this writing there are now over 100 orders!  While new presidents start their terms with executive orders, the extent and direction of President Trump’s orders is “Trumpian.”  In Part 2 I will continue to discuss selected executive orders, consider why they were signed, present the positives and negatives of each order, and consider the unforeseen consequences, good and bad.  With over 100 orders to choose from this will take some time!

Federal Hiring Freeze

Signed January 20, 2025, this executive order is similar to the order President Trump signed on January 23, 2017.  This executive order is aimed at reducing the size of the federal workforce.  The order is aimed at halting the hiring of federal civilian employees across the executive branch.  Agencies can hire no more than one new employee for every four who leave.  Immigration enforcement, public safety, military, and law enforcement are exempt from the hiring restrictions.  Agencies are directed to develop plans for large-scale reductions in force, and identify nonessential functions including diversity initiatives for cuts.  The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, oversees the efficiency measures and coordinates with agency heads. Federal employees have been offered incentives to resign.

The order also directed the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop a plan to reduce the federal workforce through efficiency improvements and attrition.

Why?

President Trump signed the 2025 hiring freeze order to reduce the size of the federal government’s workforce and cut down on government spending. Candidate Trump had regularly made statements promising to reduce government spending and waste.  This order fulfills his promise to his political base. This hiring freeze is part of a broader effort to improve efficiency and reduce costs within the federal government.

Positives

The primary goal of the hiring freeze is to reduce government spending. By not filling vacant positions, the government can save on salaries and benefits. The hiring freeze could streamline government operations.  The freeze may lead to better utilization of current employees and potentially uncover inefficiencies.  With fewer resources, agencies may be encouraged to find innovative solutions to maintain service levels. This can lead to the adoption of new technologies and processes that improve overall efficiency.

Negatives

While these potential benefits exist, it’s important to consider the broader implications and challenges that may arise from such a policy.  The freeze has had various impacts, including staffing shortages in agencies like the IRS and the National Park Service, which rely heavily on seasonal workers. Critics argue that such measures can disrupt agency operations and potentially increase costs in the long run.

The hiring freeze has also led to the rescinding of job offers for many candidates, including those who had already received offers from federal agencies like the IRS. This creates uncertainty and financial instability for those affected.  Agencies like the IRS and FDIC are facing challenges in fulfilling their duties due to the hiring freeze. The IRS, for example, may struggle to process tax returns efficiently, potentially leading to delays in tax refunds. The FDIC’s ability to ensure the stability of the banking system is also compromised, increasing the risk of bank failures and weakening consumer protections. 

The hiring freeze has led to a decrease in efficiency and morale among existing federal employees. With fewer staff members to handle the workload, employees may experience increased stress and burnout, which can negatively impact their performance and overall job satisfaction.  The freeze may have long-term consequences for the federal workforce, including a potential loss of institutional knowledge and expertise as experienced employees retire or leave for other opportunities. This can hinder the government’s ability to effectively serve the public and address emerging challenges.

Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid

Signed January 20, 2025, this directive mandates a comprehensive review of all U.S. foreign assistance programs to ensure they align with American interests and values. The order includes a 90-day pause on new obligations and disbursements of development assistance funds while these reviews are conducted. The reviews are to be carried out by the department and agency heads responsible under guidelines provided by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

The executive order aims to assess the efficiency and consistency of foreign assistance programs with U.S. foreign policy. Based on the review recommendations, the department and agency heads responsible, in consultation with the Director of OMB, will decide whether to continue, modify, or discontinue each foreign assistance program. The Secretary of State has the authority to waive the pause for specific programs if necessary.

Why?

President Trump believes that the U.S. foreign aid programs are not aligned with American interests and values. He has argued that these programs often destabilized world peace by promoting ideas contrary to harmonious and stable relations within and among countries. The executive order aimed to ensure that U.S. foreign assistance was fully aligned with the President’s foreign policy and provided a value return for the American people. The administration emphasized the need to review and realign foreign assistance to protect America’s investment and focus on national interests.

Positives

The order is designed to ensure that foreign aid programs are aligned with American interests and values, promoting a more coherent and strategic approach to foreign assistance. By pausing new obligations and disbursements for a comprehensive review, the order aims to improve the efficiency and accountability of foreign aid programs. This helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent effectively and provide a return for the American people. The order emphasizes the importance of focusing on national interests and protecting America’s investment in foreign assistance. This approach aims to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

Negatives

The 90-day pause on new obligations and disbursements of development assistance funds has caused significant disruptions to ongoing aid programs. This has affected millions of people worldwide who rely on U.S. funds for essential services such as food, healthcare, and economic development. The executive order has led to job losses for tens of thousands of Americans and non-Americans working in the international development sector. This includes employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and private contractors.

Private contractors working with USAID have faced financial burdens due to unpaid invoices and the sudden halt in funding. This has affected their ability to sustain operations and fulfill commitments to subcontractors, suppliers, and employees. Contractors and organizations that rely on their proven track record of reliability to secure future government contracts face reputational risks due to the uncertainty surrounding funding and the potential cancellation of contracts.

The pause in foreign aid has had severe consequences for vulnerable populations in developing countries. The executive order has led to the cessation of programs that support the rights and well-being of these communities.  The disruption of aid programs and the potential withdrawal of U.S. support from international development efforts could lead to increased instability in regions that rely on U.S. assistance for stability and development.