President Donald Trump was elected for a second time behind promises to remake the federal government. But achieving that goal will require administrative acumen.
That was not on display this week, as the administration issued and then rescinded an order to freeze spending on federal loans and grants. Trump supporters will blame his critics for the about-face, but the issue is one of competence in carrying out what he was elected to do.
The federal Office of Management and Budget issued the pause on Monday, saying it was necessary to review whether spending aligned with Trump’s executive orders on issues such as climate change and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
In many cases, the declaration overturned spending that has been approved by Congress while highlighting an ongoing problem within the federal government. Presidents of both parties have been allowed to usurp the power of Congress through executive orders, taking action that violates the U.S. Constitution and the clear intent of the nation’s Founders.
Regardless of who is in the White House, Congress must reassert its status as a co-equal branch of government. By design, the legislative branch controls federal spending, and lawmakers from both parties should reassert their constitutional role.
Monday’s hastily issued order generated concern from organizations that rely on approved federal funding. Washington and 21 other states joined in a lawsuit to halt the freeze, and Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said it could impact funding for child care and special education, highway planning and construction, energy, substance abuse treatment and nursing care for veterans.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, said Trump’s action was “brazen and illegal.” Murray added: “This chaos is already hurting people, causing confusion, and causing devastating delays. … There are a lot of urgent questions but precious few answers — and the answers keep changing.”
Nneka Coxeff of the local Council for the Homeless said, “Without this essential funding, organizations like the Council for the Homeless and other local agencies will be forced to cut services, which will impede progress made toward addressing homelessness both at the individual and community levels.”
By Tuesday, a federal judge had stayed the order, following an emergency hearing requested by nonprofit groups that receive federal grants.
By Wednesday, the Trump administration had sent out a two-sentence memo rescinding the order. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested that the courts and the media were to blame for confusion, not the administration.
In truth, the situation renewed the ineptitude that had become familiar during Trump’s first administration. As Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said: “This is Donald Trump. He throws hand grenades in the middle of the room and then cleans it up afterwards. I just think the guy’s a genius.”
Chaos is, indeed, Trump’s preferred management style. But there is nothing genius about it. There is only ineffectiveness that prevents the president from carrying out the wishes of the public.
As they demonstrated in November’s election, Americans desire a reexamination of federal spending. The new Department of Government Efficiency is a wise idea, but under Trump’s management it is likely to become an exercise in futility. Administrative competence and collaboration with Congress would better serve the American people.
