# Executive Order 14238: Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy
Executive Order 14238 advances the administration's agenda to reduce what it characterizes as 'unnecessary' elements of the Federal bureaucracy. This order represents a significant step in shrinking the federal government's size and scope, focusing specifically on seven agencies and entities that the President has determined can be reduced or potentially eliminated. The order frames these entities as excessive bureaucratic components that can be minimized or removed without harming essential government functions.
The order specifically targets seven governmental entities for reduction or elimination: the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the United States Agency for Global Media, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, and the Minority Business Development Agency. For each of these entities, the order mandates elimination of all non-statutory components and functions, and requires reduction of statutory functions and associated personnel to the 'minimum presence and function required by law.' This represents a substantial scaling back of agencies involved in areas including media, cultural institutions, homelessness initiatives, and minority business development.
Implementation of the order begins with an immediate seven-day deadline for the head of each affected entity to submit a report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) confirming compliance and detailing which components or functions are statutorily required and to what extent. The order establishes a governance mechanism through the OMB, directing the OMB Director or other department heads to reject funding requests from these entities except where necessary to maintain statutorily required functions or to effectuate an expected termination. While asserting broad authority to reduce these agencies, the order includes standard provisions acknowledging it must be implemented consistent with applicable law, is subject to availability of appropriations, and does not create any enforceable rights or benefits against the United States or its officers.