Published on February 10, 2025
This executive order abolishes the Federal Executive Institute, a Johnson-era program established for leadership training of federal bureaucrats. The order directs the Office of Personnel Management to eliminate the institute, citing the need to treat taxpayer dollars responsibly and refocus government efforts on directly benefiting the American people rather than serving the federal bureaucracy.
While presented as a cost-saving measure to benefit taxpayers, this action appears designed to weaken the federal bureaucracy's institutional knowledge and professional development infrastructure. By dismantling a long-standing leadership training program, the order could facilitate the replacement of career civil servants with potentially less qualified political appointees, effectively consolidating executive branch control over federal agencies through the elimination of professional development resources that historically helped maintain institutional independence.
Though framed as fiscal responsibility and government efficiency, this order represents a potentially concerning shift toward centralizing executive control by weakening the professional development infrastructure of the federal workforce. The long-term consequences could include decreased bureaucratic independence and expertise, ultimately reducing the effectiveness of government agencies in serving the public interest.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and section 4117 of title 5, United States Code, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose and Policy. It is the policy of the United States to treat taxpayer dollars responsibly and advance unifying priorities like a stronger and safer America. Accordingly, it is the policy of my Administration to eliminate, to the greatest extent permitted by law, executive departments and agencies and programs that do not directly benefit the American people or further our Nation’s interests. In particular, the Federal Executive Institute, which was created by the Administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson more than 50 years ago, is a Government program purportedly designed to provide leadership training to bureaucrats. But bureaucratic leadership over the past half-century has led to Federal policies that enlarge and entrench the Washington, D.C., managerial class, a development that has not benefited the American family. The Federal Executive Institute should therefore be eliminated to refocus Government on serving taxpayers, competence, and dedication to our Constitution, rather than serving the Federal bureaucracy. Sec. 2. Elimination of the Federal Executive Institute. (a) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall take all necessary steps to eliminate the Federal Executive Institute, in accordance with applicable law. (b) All prior Presidential or other executive branch documents establishing or requiring the existence of the Federal Executive Institute, including the Presidential Memorandum of May 9, 1968, regarding the Federal Executive Institute, and any applicable provisions of Executive Order 11348 of April 20, 1967 (Providing for the Further Training of Government Employees), are hereby revoked. Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. THE WHITE HOUSE, February 10, 2025.