Trump’s Quiet War on Federal Agencies: A Strategic Approach to Dismantling Government
Introduction: The Challenge of Cutting Down Federal Agencies
When Donald Trump launched his presidential campaign, he vowed to abolish entire federal agencies, a promise that resonated with his base. However, the reality of governing quickly made it clear that dismantling government agencies isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. Agencies are created and funded by Congress, and the Constitution establishes a system of checks and balances that limits a president’s ability to unilaterally eliminate them. So, Trump and his allies, including Elon Musk, have adopted a different strategy: crippling these agencies by sidelining their workforce, halting their operations, and launching extensive reviews of their activities. The ultimate goal? To weaken them enough that Congress might eventually agree to abolish them outright.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: A Target of Republican Ire
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), established after the Great Recession to protect consumers from financial abuses, has long been a thorn in the side of Republicans. Trump’s administration has wasted no time in going after it. All of the agency’s work has been halted, and its director, Rohit Chopra, was fired before the end of his five-year term. The acting head, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, has ordered a review of the agency’s policies to ensure they align with the new administration’s priorities. This move has effectively put the CFPB in limbo, leaving consumers vulnerable to the very abuses the agency was created to prevent.
USAID: A Global Impact Under Threat
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), established in 1961 to help developing nations and advance U.S. interests, has also been caught in Trump’s crosshairs. Employees have been locked out of headquarters, the website has been shut down, and staff around the world have been ordered to return to the U.S. A freeze on most foreign aid has sent shockwaves through the international development community, with non-profits and aid organizations struggling to cope. Musk has been vocal in his disdain for USAID, calling it “evil,” while Trump has accused it of being run by the “radical left.” The freeze on foreign aid has been slightly eased to allow for life-saving programs, such as the distribution of AIDS medication in Africa, but many are struggling to access even these exemptions.
The Department of Education: A New Target in Trump’s Sights
The Department of Education, which has existed in some form since the 1800s but was officially established as a federal agency in 1979, is Trump’s next target. An executive order is reportedly being drafted that would instruct the incoming secretary, Linda McMahon, to “diminish” the department through executive action. Trump has made no secret of his desire to see the department abolished, telling reporters, “I told Linda, ‘I hope you do a great job in putting yourself out of a job.’” While a narrowly divided Congress is unlikely to go along with abolishing the department outright, McMahon may well succeed in severely scaling back its functions.
A Broader Battle Over the Role of Government
The attacks on these agencies are part of a larger existential battle over the role of government in society. Trump’s administration is using a combination of tactics to pressure federal workers into taking buyouts, with the threat of layoffs and reassignments looming large. Workers focused on diversity initiatives have been particularly targeted, with some placed on administrative leave or sidelined altogether. While some agencies, like the Patent and Trademark Office and the Department of Homeland Security, will continue to exist in some form, others may find themselves transformed beyond recognition.
The Legal and Political Fallout
Trump’s efforts to dismantle these agencies are unlikely to go unchallenged. Numerous lawsuits have already been filed opposing his early moves, and more are expected as the administration continues its push to diminish the role of government. The Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the CFPB’s funding structure has set the stage for a legal battle over the constitutionality of Trump’s actions. Justice Samuel Alito’s dissent in that case, arguing that Congress must fund agencies, could become a key point of contention in future cases. As the battle over the future of these agencies plays out, one thing is clear: the impact will be felt far beyond the Beltway, shaping the lives of millions of Americans and people around the world.
