President Trump Signs Order to Implement ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Deregulatory Initiative

President Donald Trump on Feb. 19 signed an executive order implementing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) deregulatory initiative aimed to curb federal overreach and restore the constitutional separation of powers.

The order directs federal agencies to review all regulations under their jurisdiction for consistency with law and Trump administration policy, prioritizing rules that impose heavy costs. To this end, the order directs agencies to identify regulations under a list of classifications including regulations that unjustifiably harm national interests by impeding  technological innovation, economic and infrastructure development, energy production, disaster response, and small business growth. The Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs is required to develop a unified agenda to rescind and/or modify such regulations. Within 60 days, agency heads are required to provide to the office a list of all regulations identified by class as listed in the order.

In an order signed on Feb. 18, President Trump directed executive departments and agencies, including independent agencies to submit their proposed and final significant regulatory actions for review. The order emphasizes accountability for all agencies, noting that previous administrations allowed independent regulatory agencies to operate with minimal presidential supervision. Further, these agencies have been permitted to issue significant regulations without review by the president . Independent agencies, such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, would have to submit their proposed and final significant regulatory actions for review.

“President Trump’s first term was the most successful deregulatory undertaking” in U.S. history, according to a White House fact sheet. The first Trump term rolled back more than 100 environmental regulations.

Last month, President Trump issued a series of executive actions signaling major changes in the U.S. energy landscape, including declaring a national energy emergency, expanding fossil fuel development, halting offshore wind leasing, and withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement.