Trump Signs Order Dismantling Several More Federal Agencies
On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at dismantling seven federal agencies, including those that oversee media, libraries, museums, and homelessness prevention initiatives.
The order directed that the specified agencies “be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law,” emphasizing the need to “reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel.” The directive also required agency heads to submit a report to the Office of Management and Budget within seven days, confirming their full compliance, according to The Hill.
Among the affected entities is the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees Voice of America (VOA). Also targeted are the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars—a distinguished think tank affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution—and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which provides financial support to libraries, museums, and archives across the country.
The order also dismantled several agencies, including the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, which focuses on addressing and preventing homelessness. Additionally, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, which helps resolve labor disputes, and the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, which facilitates economic opportunities for underserved areas, were affected. The Minority Business Development Agency, which supports minority-owned businesses, was also included in the cuts, The Hill reported.
As uncertainty loomed over VOA’s future, Trump appointed Kari Lake, a former Arizona gubernatorial and Senate candidate, to lead the organization. Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference last month, she assured that, under her leadership, the international broadcaster would not transform into “Trump TV.”
While the president does not directly choose the head of VOA, he did nominate conservative L. Brent Bozell III to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the entity overseeing VOA. Bozell’s confirmation by the Senate is required before he can officially assume the role and potentially appoint Kari Lake.
“The U.S. Agency for Global Media also oversees Radio Free Asia, which broadcasts and publishes for audiences in Asia and is seen as a way to combat Chinese propaganda in the region,” reported The Hill.
The Trump administration has embarked on a significant restructuring of the federal government, with tech billionaire Elon Musk spearheading efforts to streamline costs and reduce the workforce. However, these measures have faced legal challenges, as federal judges in Maryland and Northern California issued rulings on Thursday to prevent mass layoffs.
In response, the White House announced on Friday its intent to appeal the court rulings, which required the administration to reinstate probationary government employees.
Simultaneously, the administration has launched investigations into over 50 universities regarding their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, which officials argue discriminate against white and Asian students.
The Department of Education confirmed the investigations on Friday, following a prior warning that institutions must discontinue DEI programs or risk losing federal funding, as reported by the Daily Wire.
“Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin,” stated Education Secretary Linda McMahon. “We will not yield on this commitment.”
Of the 52 universities under investigation, 45 are being scrutinized for their involvement with the PhD Project—an initiative described by the Education Department as “an organization that purports to provide doctoral students with insights into obtaining a Ph.D. and networking opportunities, but limits eligibility based on the race of participants.”
The investigations span a wide range of institutions, including Yale, Vanderbilt, Arizona State, New York University, Notre Dame, Boise State, Clemson, Cornell, Duke, and Georgetown.
Additionally, six universities are under investigation for allegedly offering “impermissible race-based scholarships,” while another is suspected of hosting a “program that segregates students based on race.”
The universities named in these specific investigations include the University of Alabama, the University of South Florida, and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.