President Trump on Tuesday signed an Executive Order intended to cut costs and restore common sense to the management of federal office space.
The Order effectively revokes the actions of two previous presidents, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. Executive Order 12072, signed by Jimmy Carter in 1978, prioritized the placement of federal office buildings in urban areas and central business districts. According to the Order signed by President Trump, Carter’s order intended to improve the districts in which the federal office buildings would be located, but it “has instead prevented agencies from relocating to lower-cost facilities.”
The second order to be revoked is Executive Order 13006, signed by Bill Clinton in 1996. Building on the precedent set by Carter’s order, the order signed by President Clinton encouraged agencies to build facilities in historic properties and districts, which naturally tended to increase costs instead of promoting efficiency. In revoking these orders, President Trump noted they “failed to adequately prioritize efficient and effective Government service.”
The Trump administration has shifted the focus of federal office management towards government efficiency. According to a statement released by the White House, the orders signed by President Trump will allow “federal agencies to select office space and facilities based on cost-effectiveness, mission suitability, and the needs of the American people.”
By rescinding the orders of the previous administrations, President Trump is “eliminating the needless and counterproductive location restrictions.” This action is a continuation of a series of orders signed by President Trump, intending to prioritize cost-effectiveness and cut regulations that result in wasteful federal spending.