Staff Reports
In a bold move to rein in government overreach, former President Trump has signed an executive order that challenges the status quo of excessive regulation. This new directive instructs agency heads to team up with the Department of Government Efficiency—fittingly named, given the infinite bureaucracy typically found in D.C.—to comb through existing regulations with a fine-tooth comb. If something doesn’t pass muster, it’s getting the axe.
The key insight from this order? The days of federal regulators strutting around as if they own the place are numbered. The fact sheet accompanying the order promises to “end Federal overreach in regulation and enforcement” and restore what the Founding Fathers envisioned—a government more closely aligned with the Constitution. It’s a refreshing perspective in an era where a regulatory state often runs rampant without a thought for individual liberties.
Trump order calls for agencies to run regulations past DOGEhttps://t.co/XumsAOAGI1 pic.twitter.com/V20VekYS6p
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) February 20, 2025
As if that weren’t enough, the order also puts the futuristic tech mogul Elon Musk into the mix, tasking him and his DOGE crew with investigating which regulations are draining resources. Musk’s involvement, notably through his association with various innovative ventures, hints at a willingness to explore new, cost-effective strategies that could potentially revolutionize how regulatory actions are assessed. The message is clear: regulations that cost taxpayers dearly without delivering tangible benefits can expect a swift end under Trump’s watch.
In a further shake-up, the directive calls for any regulation that strays too far from Trump’s policies to be either rescinded or altered. This will include regulations that are based on illegitimate delegations of power, those that burden private parties without public benefit, and rules that could somehow threaten national security. In other words, any bureaucratic nonsense that doesn’t conform to the principles of good governance won’t be welcome anymore.
However, don’t expect a free-for-all where everything goes. Key national interests—including military, homeland, and foreign affairs—are exempt from the regulation review. It’s a necessary move to ensure that such vital functions remain focused and unencumbered by petty bureaucratic hurdles. Before any new regulations can be hatched, agency heads must also collaborate with the Office of Management and Budget and other oversight bodies, ensuring there’s a level of accountability in this regulatory renaissance.
This executive order encapsulates the Trump administration’s fight against a bloated and overreaching federal government. With the emphasis on efficiency and constitutional fidelity, it showcases a commitment to real change that could empower everyday Americans rather than confound them under layers of red tape.
