EO 14147: Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government
ANALYSIS: This order directs federal agencies to review their activities over the past four years to identify and address instances where government power may have been used for partisan purposes. The primary objective is to ensure accountability and prevent the misuse of federal authority against American citizens.
Project 2025 is a strategic initiative aimed at reshaping the federal government to align more closely with conservative principles. Executive Order 14147 aligns with this initiative by mandating a comprehensive review of federal agencies to eliminate perceived partisan enforcement of laws. This reflects Project 2025's broader goal of restructuring the federal bureaucracy to ensure actions are free from political bias and adhere to conservative values.
While the intention behind Executive Order 14147 is to promote accountability, several potential negative impacts have been identified:
Legal Challenges: The order has faced lawsuits from federal employees concerned about potential violations of civil service protections. For instance, a class-action lawsuit was filed by nine FBI employees alleging that the order violates the Civil Service Reform Act by directing the Department of Justice to conduct a review and purge of personnel involved in investigations they had no discretion over.
Politicization of Federal Agencies: Critics argue that the order could lead to further politicization of federal agencies. By directing reviews of past actions based on perceived partisan bias, there is a concern that the order may be used to target individuals or decisions that do not align with the current administration's political views, undermining the principle of impartiality in federal law enforcement and regulatory bodies.
Resource Allocation: Conducting comprehensive reviews of agency activities requires significant time and resources. This could divert attention and funding from other critical functions of these agencies, potentially hindering their ability to effectively serve the public in their primary capacities.
Impact on Morale: The directive may negatively affect the morale of federal employees, especially if they perceive the reviews as politically motivated. This could lead to decreased job satisfaction, reduced productivity, and challenges in retaining qualified personnel within the federal workforce.
CONCLUSION: Executive Order 14147 aims to eliminate partisan misuse of federal power; it raises concerns about legal challenges, potential politicization of agencies, resource diversion, and employee morale. Referenced in Project 2025 Chapter 17: Department of Justice (Gene Hamilton), which calls for identifying and correcting past government “weaponization” of law enforcement and intelligence.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1 . Purpose. The American people have witnessed the previous administration engage in a systematic campaign against its perceived political opponents, weaponizing the legal force of numerous Federal law enforcement agencies and the Intelligence Community against those perceived political opponents in the form of investigations, prosecutions, civil enforcement actions, and other related actions. These actions appear oriented more toward inflicting political pain than toward pursuing actual justice or legitimate governmental objectives. Many of these activities appear to be inconsistent with the Constitution and/or the laws of the United States, including those activities directed at parents protesting at school board meetings, Americans who spoke out against the previous administration's actions, and other Americans who were simply exercising constitutionally protected rights.
The prior administration and allies throughout the country engaged in an unprecedented, third-world weaponization of prosecutorial power to upend the democratic process. It targeted individuals who voiced opposition to the prior administration's policies with numerous Federal investigations and politically motivated funding revocations, which cost Americans access to needed services. The Department of Justice even jailed an individual for posting a political meme. And while the Department of Justice has ruthlessly prosecuted more than 1,500 individuals associated with January 6, and simultaneously dropped nearly all cases against BLM rioters.
Therefore, this order sets forth a process to ensure accountability for the previous administration's weaponization of the Federal Government against the American people.
Sec. 2 . Policy. It is the policy of the United States to identify and take appropriate action to correct past misconduct by the Federal Government related to the weaponization of law enforcement and the weaponization of the Intelligence Community.
Sec. 3 . Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government. (a) The Attorney General, in consultation with the heads of all departments and agencies of the United States, shall take appropriate action to review the activities of all departments and agencies exercising civil or criminal enforcement authority of the United States, including, but not limited to, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Federal Trade Commission, over the last 4 years and identify any instances where a department's or agency's conduct appears to have been contrary to the purposes and policies of this order, and prepare a report to be submitted to the President, through the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and the Counsel to the President, with recommendations for appropriate remedial actions to be taken to fulfill the purposes and policies of this order.
(b) The Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the heads of the appropriate departments and agencies within the Intelligence Community, shall take all appropriate action to review the activities of the Intelligence Community over the last 4 years and identify any instances where the Intelligence Community's conduct appears to have been contrary to the purposes and policies of this order, and prepare a report to be submitted to the President, through the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and the National Security Advisor, with recommendations for appropriate remedial actions to be taken to fulfill the purposes and policies of this order. The term “Intelligence Community” has the meaning given the term in section 3003 of title 50, United States Code.
(c) In furtherance of these policies, departments and agencies are directed to comply with applicable document-retention policies and legal obligations. Instances of noncompliance with document-retention policies or legal obligations will be referred to the Attorney General.
Sec. 4 . General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
