Revitalize Government: Enshrine Trump’s Reforms into Law

The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency is achieving in mere weeks what conservatives have debated for years.

To date, DOGE has eliminated almost $1 billion in daily waste, dismantled the previously known leftist slush fund, USAID, and unveiled the extent of corruption within the Deep State — including the millions of taxpayer dollars FEMA has funneled to hotels in New York City for accommodating illegal immigrants.

Elon Musk and his talented team of young tech innovators will continue to stir public outrage regarding Washington’s rampant overspending.

However, they cannot tackle the Washington leviathan alone. Congressional Republicans must rise to the occasion and combat corruption with the same vigor shown by the Trump administration.

The positive development is that GOP leadership on Capitol Hill appears aligned with DOGE and ready to address waste, fraud, and abuse in forthcoming budget negotiations and reconciliation efforts.

Now, action is required.

A permanent ban on DEI initiatives within the federal government would be a great starting point.

During his initial week in office, President Donald Trump issued three executive orders aimed at halting “affirmative action” in federal contracts, shuttering corrupt DEI departments in federal agencies, and abolishing the Biden administration’s biased DEI policies.

Each of these executive orders signifies a substantial triumph for the Constitution and the American populace, but without Congressional enactment into law, they remain vulnerable to reversal.

DOGE has already terminated over 100 DEI contracts costing taxpayers more than $1 billion.

To prevent future administrations from squandering taxpayer money on discriminatory programs, Congress should promptly consider the Dismantle DEI Act, introduced this month by Rep. Michael Cloud and Sen. Eric Schmitt.

Reforming federal civil-service laws should also be part of the conversation.

On his first day in office, Trump prioritized the termination of remote work arrangements and mandated that employees return full-time to their workstations.

Additionally, he signed an executive order requiring agencies to dismiss four employees for every new hire made.

Now, our elected officials must ensure that the unelected federal bureaucracy no longer remains at home for years at the expense of taxpayers.

Furthermore, Congress should classify federal workers as at-will employees with performance-based compensation, akin to the practices of America’s most effective businesses.

Government employees must be accountable to performance standards and to the citizens financing their salaries, rather than being shielded by bureaucratic systems that encourage underperformance.

In line with this, Rep. Andy Ogles introduced the End the Deep State Act on February 4.

This legislation would simplify the process for Trump to dismiss federal employees who intentionally obstruct his initiatives — such as those FEMA employees recently responsible for sending nearly $60 million in taxpayer funds to hotels for illegal immigrants.

The act also nullifies a rule implemented by President Joe Biden that shields insubordinate employees from losing their civil servant statuses.

Finally, once federal employees are once again dedicated to serving the American public rather than undermining them, Congress should work to eliminate the overwhelming standards and regulations imposed on American families.

Today, the federal bureaucracy inundates citizens with a convoluted and burdensome array of regulations. This situation can be improved.

By enacting legislation like the REINS Act (Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny), Congress can reclaim its Article I authority over the regulatory process, streamline regulations, and establish a system where regulations have a sunset clause, thus alleviating the burden on American families and small businesses.

Each of these pragmatic laws presents an uncomplicated opportunity for Republican lawmakers.

It is now up to Congress — particularly Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune — to ensure that these essential reforms are enacted into federal law.

There should be no further excuses — especially from the many members who benefitted from Trump’s leadership and capitalized on his popularity to secure their positions.

Moreover, there should be no procrastination. The 2026 midterms are approaching, and we must consistently deliver the victories that the American people deserve.

President Trump has urged us “to once again act with courage.”

With a Republican majority in both chambers, a 6-3 majority in the Supreme Court, and strong support from the American populace for their new president, Republican leadership has a clear mandate to codify a series of straightforward policy solutions that return power to the American people.

It’s time to get to work.

Kevin Roberts is the president of Heritage Action for America.