Trump’s New Executive Order Seeks Faster Deregulation Efforts
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Unleashing Prosperity through Deregulation: The Trump Executive Order Extravaganza
Introduction
On January 31, 2025, in the bustling heart of Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump made headlines with an executive order titled “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation.” This ambitious declaration sought to slice through the bureaucratic red tape that has oftentimes entangled American businesses like a particularly stubborn vine. With a promise to remove ten regulations for every new one introduced, it’s as if he challenged agencies to a highly competitive game of regulatory limbo. How low can they go? Spoiler alert: lower than a limbo dancer at a fifth birthday party.
Revoking Politically Charged Guidelines
One of the standout features of Trump’s new order was its directive to roll back the Biden administration’s controversial regulatory analysis guidelines. In a political landscape that can sometimes resemble a circus, the 2023 revisions had not only complicated regulatory analyses but had also drawn criticism from individuals across the political spectrum—even former presidents of the Society for Benefit-Cost Analysis weighed in. This move back to the 2003 version of OMB Circular No. A-4 is a refreshing return to common sense, re-establishing principles that prioritize sound economic judgments over politically expedient ones. It’s like going back to Grandma’s secret recipe after trying to bake a cake with a box of dubious mystery ingredients.
The New 10-for-1 Regulation Requirement
In a bold expansion of what we once knew as “the 2-for-1 rule,” the new executive order stipulates that any new regulation proposed by an executive department or agency must come paired with a ten-fold reduction of existing regulations, unless of course, there are unavoidable legal constraints—a caveat that sounds somewhat ominous, like a contestant on a game show saying, “But I have an exemption!”
The previous order had agencies eliminating two regulations for every new entry. However, agencies were reportedly able to clear more than five outdated regulations for every fresh one during Trump’s first term. It seems agencies were playing a very different game of regulation dodgeball back then. Now, with a total incremental cost cap that must hover significantly below zero, the expectation is for agencies to not just eliminate burdensome regulations but to do so in a way that boosts economic growth. Who knew the budgetary process had a sense of humor?
Defining What Counts as a Regulation
The beauty—and complexity—of this initiative lies in its expansive definitions. Regulations aren’t merely the stuff you find buried in the back of a bureaucratic cupboard; they now include memoranda, administrative orders, guidance documents, and more. Basically, if it has “regulatory” spray-painted on it, it’s in. This wide net casts a promising shadow over the administrative leviathan, signaling that absolutely everything—a plethora of restrictions—can and should be reassessed for relevance in our increasingly dynamic marketplace.
It’s also refreshing to see the reinstatement of a 2018 memorandum of agreement between the Treasury Department and OMB, re-anchoring the IRS under the same regulatory oversight that everyone else is subject to—because who wants a tax system throwing a surprise birthday party without any guest list or oversight? As a libertarian, allowing the IRS to play by its own rules makes me feel a bit like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs—anxious and on edge.
Exemptions Galore
However, the order isn’t without its exceptions. Certain regulations will evade this sweeping scrutiny due to their ties to national security, military operations, or, interestingly enough, immigration-related functions. It’s a bit like giving a kid a cookie before dinner—there are some functions you just can’t say no to. Interestingly, the Chief of Staff or Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy can also seek specific exemptions, creating the potential for a lot of backroom bargaining and in-house negotiations over which regulatory rules are allowed to remain standing.
Granted, it’s no surprise that rulings surrounding immigration could become a hotbed of debated exemptions, especially under the direction of the ever-controversial Stephen Miller—a name that sends shivers down the spine of pro-regulators everywhere. It’s akin to giving a toddler the green light to run a candy store: necessary checks and balances may not be there to keep things from spiraling into chaos.
The Role of the OMB
The Office of Management and Budget is now at the forefront, fully equipped with the daunting task of enforcing these new rules. The director will determine annual cost caps and guide agencies. It’s like being the coach of a sports team where every player has to show up for practice, but the rules are always shifting just when you think you have a solid strategy. Will the OMB stick to its guns and hold agencies accountable for their regulatory impact analysis? Only time will tell—and I’d wager it’ll be a thrilling rollercoaster ride of insights, with unforeseen twists along the way like any good amusement park.
Likely Impacts and Final Thoughts
While the ambitious nature of the 10-for-1 requirement has the potential to stir plenty of excitement, it’s likely that it will end up more as a game of regulatory gymnastics rather than significant deregulation. Even during Trump’s earlier promise of a 5-for-1 rule, the net stock of regulations remained relatively unchanged over his first term, though small businesses felt a sigh of relief through reduced regulatory pressures. However, the long-term impact on America’s business scene remains to be seen. The effectiveness of this order will likely boil down to the operational definitions and guidelines set forth by the OMB—after all, the devil is in the details.
In a society that thrives on innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, it’s imperative that we embrace measures that liberate rather than constrain—the free market deserves nothing less than full throttle on deregulation. Placing the country’s regulatory structure under scrutiny while lightening entrepreneurial burdens sounds like a plan that can indeed unleash unprecedented levels of prosperity. Buckle up! It’s going to be an exhilarating ride.
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