Cut the government with a scalpel, not an axe

Cutting federal government spending under the Trump administration may harm essential public services, creating significant backlash from citizens. Disruption caused by deep cuts could lead to political repercussions, complicating the government's efficiency goals, per commentary from Brookings.

The issue:  

The federal government’s primary challenge lies in reducing spending without jeopardizing essential services that Americans rely on, such as Social Security and Medicare. Mandatory spending accounts for 66% of the 2022 budget, leaving limited room for cuts in discretionary spending.

What they recommend:  

No recommendations provided in the commentary.

Go deeper:  

Expert analysis suggests that a drastic reduction in the federal workforce, such as an 80% cut, would severely impair essential services like air traffic control and border security. Historical examples, such as the National Performance Review, highlight the importance of targeted reforms rather than sweeping cuts. Leveraging modern technology and a thorough agency-by-agency review could yield better outcomes without compromising public safety or services.  

This is a brief overview of a commentary from Brookings. For complete insights, we recommend reading the full commentary.