President Trump has issued a new Executive Order that targets seven governmental entities for elimination “to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.”

The Executive Order, Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy, is the latest effort by the president to work to reduce the size of the federal government. A fact sheetpublished along with the Executive Order says that the Trump is “further decreasing the size of the Federal Government to enhance accountability, reduce waste, and promote innovation.”

It adds that the president is “returning power to local communities and state governments.”

Targeted Agencies

The executive order identifies several governmental entities whose non-statutory functions and components are deemed unnecessary:

• The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
• The United States Agency for Global Media
• The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in the Smithsonian Institution
• The Institute of Museum and Library Services
• The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
• The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund
• The Minority Business Development Agency

These entities are required to minimize their operations and personnel to the bare minimum mandated by law.

Implementation and Compliance

To ensure compliance, the head of each listed entity must submit a report to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget within seven days of the date of the Executive Order (March 14, 2025). This report should confirm compliance with the order, detailing which functions and components are legally required and how extensively they are engaged.

Furthermore, the executive order mandates that budget requests from these entities should be reviewed critically. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget, along with other relevant departmental heads, are instructed to reject funding requests that do not align with the goals of the order. Exceptions are only permitted if necessary to facilitate the termination of these non-essential functions.

What Do These Agencies Do?

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS)

FMCS provides mediation and conflict resolution services to prevent or resolve labor disputes and improve labor-management relations.

The United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM)

USAGM is responsible for overseeing broadcasting services and media content that promote American values and information abroad. It aims to inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy.

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in the Smithsonian Institution

This center serves as a living memorial to President Woodrow Wilson. It provides an intellectual space and resources for scholars, policymakers, and the public to engage in dialogue and research on national and world affairs.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

The mission of IMLS is to advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Its goal is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people with information and ideas.

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)

The USICH mission is to end homelessness by working with federal agencies and its partners to create effective strategies and solutions.

The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund)

The CDFI Fund supports community development by providing financing to community development financial institutions. It strives to increase economic opportunity and promote community development investments in underserved areas.

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

MBDA focuses on promoting the growth of minority-owned businesses by offering resources, programs, and initiatives.

Other Targeted Agencies

The Department of Education is another agency that has been targeted for extensive cuts or even outright elimination.

The Wall Street Journal reported recently that it had reviewed a draft executive order that would basically shutter the agency. The report said that the draft EO directed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Education Department” based on “the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.”

However, no such executive order has been issued to date. However, the agency has initiated a reduction in force (RIF) to eliminate nearly half of its employees. The agency said that impacted staff will be put on administrative leave starting Friday, March 21.

The Education Department estimates that the RIF will cut the size of its workforce from 4,133 employees to approximately 2,183. The RIF includes nearly 600 employees who accepted voluntary resignation opportunities and retirement over the last seven weeks, including 259 employees who accepted the Office of Personnel Management’s Deferred Resignation Program offer and 313 employees who accepted the Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP).

Trump also issued an Executive Order in February that targeted four other entities for elimination. Those were:

• The Presidio Trust
• The Inter-American Foundation
• The United States African Development Foundation
• The United States Institute of Peace