Human Factors Implications of President Trump’s Executive Orders
Posted February 25, 2025
Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC
Since President Donald Trump took office on January 20, a series of executive actions have shaken the research community. These included targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Federal science funding, civil servant workforce, the regulatory environment and climate initiatives. This is a rapidly changing situation that HFES is monitoring and responding to as needed to help protect programs relevant to human factors/ergonomics professionals.
HFES Responses to Executive Orders
This is a rapidly developing situation, and federal agencies are taking many swift actions to comply with EOs. HFES is gathering information as it is released. Members should work with their institutions and organizations to assess how to support existing projects that may not receive full funding. For those currently working on solicitations, direct outreach to individual program managers to discuss deadlines is advisable, although, please note that agency personnel are likely to be still receiving guidance and, therefore, may not have immediate answers to your questions.
HFES is working with our membership and broader research community to collect impact stories and data – including, for example, job losses, disruptions to students, disruptions to long-term research programs, and disruptions to educational programming/training – to share with Members of Congress and the public and to provide recommendations for next steps and future advocacy. Please consider sharing with the Society the longer-term consequences of the executive actions implemented during the first weeks of the Trump Administration on specific programs and grants that you run. Furthermore, please consider reaching out to your Representatives and Senators (find their names and contact information here) to share your impact stories, both now and as more changes occur.
Overview of Major Executive Orders
DEI - Several executive orders were released that targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and climate initiatives and that direct agencies to generate list of existing grants supporting these activities. Furthermore, on January 27, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo (M-25-13) that ordered a “temporary pause” on “all activities related to disbursement or obligation of all Federal financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal”. However, this pause was temporarily blocked in court on January 28 and then rescinded the next day. On January 31, a Federal Court also issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) preventing agencies from pausing, freezing, canceling, or impeding awards. The Award Cash Management Service (ACM$) system was also temporarily down; however, the site has since been restored.
NSF - Despite this confusion, federal agencies, including funders of vital importance to the human factors community, such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) continue to actively review their grant portfolios to comply with President Trump’s executive orders. This includes flagging grants that contain keywords related to DEI, taking down or modifying webpages and funding opportunities, and, in some instances, removing public datasets. Luckily, many of these datasets have been preserved in other locations by the research community. Disbursement of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds were also paused; however, another federal judge ordered them to be released. Despite the order, there have not been any reports that researchers are receiving their funds.
NSF has published a website dedicated to informing researchers and the public on the implementation of President Trump’s recent executive orders. Originally, all grantees were directed to cease activity that is non-compliant, including “any… grant activity that uses or promotes the use of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) principles and frameworks”. NSF has since taken down this statement, instead stating, “Consistent with the district court's order, NSF awardees may continue activities consistent with the current terms and conditions of their NSF awards at this time.” Time will tell exactly when and how DEI activities are affected. The agency is using keyword searches for potential non-allowable activity in reviews of individual awards, which may need to be modified or canceled. Furthermore, the Senate Commerce Committee released a list of NSF grants that contain keywords they oppose; however, it is unclear whether or not NSF will use this list in their reviews.
NIH - On February 7, and effective February 10, NIH issued a notice that it will be capping F&A rates, which reimburse institution’s indirect costs of federally funded research, to 15%. On average, institutions have an F&A rate of approximately 30%, although some can be much higher. Further, it is possible that the Administration could propose F&A rate cap changes at other agencies. However, a lawsuit was filed by 22 state attorney generals (AG) that led to a federal judge filing a TRO on the policy change for all states until a hearing can take place.
Other Science Impacts - In addition, thousands of science agency employees have been fired by the Trump administration since last Friday as part of a purge of probationary workers across the government. The number of people fired include more than 1,000 at the Department of Energy, around 1,200 at the National Institutes of Health, nearly 170 at the National Science Foundation, and unclear numbers at other science agencies such as the U.S. Geological Survey. Unions representing federal employees have sued in an attempt to block the firings. Although probationary employees have fewer civil service protections, the unions argue the sweeping nature of the layoffs lacks proper justification. The probationary period generally lasts a year or two after starting the role but can sometimes last longer. Many probationary employees are new to government service but some are more senior workers who transitioned into new roles.
A separate EO gave the president power independent agencies and one moved to “eliminates or reduces to the minimum level of activity and expenditure required by law unnecessary governmental entities and Federal advisory committees.” The impact of these is yet to be seen, and litigation is expected, but HFES will continue to update throughout these new developments.
Additional EOs
Additional information on the EOs that directly impact HF priorities are listed below:
1/20/2025: Restoring of Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship
1/20/2025: Regulatory Freeze Pending Review
1/20/2025: Establishing And Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency”
1/20/2025: Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing
1/20/2025: Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to The Federal Government
1/21/2025: Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity
1/23/2025: Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence
1/23/2025: Establishment of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
1/27/2025: Restoring America’s Fighting Force
2/6/2025: Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies
2/18/2025: Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies
2/18/2025: Radical Transparency About Wasteful Spending
2/19/2025: Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies
Issued February 6, 2025, this EO instructs the heads of executive departments and agencies to review all current funding provided to Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) and make future funding decisions based on NGO alignment to U.S. priorities and goals of the Trump Administration. Funding decisions should also align with applicable laws, regulations, and agency discretion. The purpose of this EO is to minimize contribution of tax dollars to NGOs that undermine the security, prosperity, and safety of the American people.
Restoring of Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship
Issued on January 20, this EO limits the ability of federal employees to address "misinformation/disinformation" and creates the ability for agencies to take corrective action against employees who are found to be guilty of "censorship of protected speech."
Regulatory Freeze Pending Review
Issued on January 20, this EO directs all federal departments and agencies to not issue any rules “until a department or agency head appointed or designated by the President after noon on January 20, 2025, reviews and approves the rule.”
Establishing And Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency”
Issued on January 20, this EO “establishes the Department of Government Efficiency to implement the President’s DOGE Agenda, by modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.” Included in the EO is the renaming of the United States Digital Service to the United States DOGE Service (USDS). Among policy directives included in the EO is a requirement for each agency to establish a “DOGE Team of at least four employees, which may include Special Government Employees.”
Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity
Issued on January 21, this EO states that “influential institutions of American society, including… institutions of higher education have adopted and actively use dangerous, demeaning, and immoral race- and sex-based preferences under the guise of so-called “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) or “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” (DEIA) that can violate the civil-rights laws of this Nation.” Policy changes included in the EO include a directive for federal agencies to terminate “all discriminatory and illegal preferences, mandates, policies, programs, activities, guidance, regulations, enforcement actions, consent orders, and requirements.”
The EO revokes several EOs including:
- Executive Order 12898 of February 11, 1994 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations);
- Executive Order 13583 of August 18, 2011 (Establishing a Coordinated Government-wide Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce);
- Executive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965 (Equal Employment Opportunity) (“For 90 days from the date of this order, Federal contractors may continue to comply with the regulatory scheme in effect on January 20, 2025.”);
- “US Department of Labor to cease and desist all investigative and enforcement activity under rescinded Executive Order 11246”
Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing
Issued on January 20, this EO directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Attorney General, and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to “coordinate the termination of all discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI and “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the Federal Government.” The EO directs these entities to review all Federal employment practices, union contracts, and training policies or programs to comply with this order. All federal are directed to “terminate, to the maximum extent allowed by law, all DEI, DEIA, and ‘environmental justice’ offices and positions, ‘equity action plans,’ ‘equity’ actions, initiatives, or programs, ‘equity-related’ grants or contracts; and all DEI or DEIA performance requirements for employees, contractors, or grantees.”
Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to The Federal Government
Issued on January 20, this EO states, “It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female.” The action notes that ‘sex’ does not include the concept of ‘gender identity.’ The EO directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop guidance expanding the sex-based definitions outlined in the order. The EO notes “Agencies shall take all necessary steps, as permitted by law, to end the Federal funding of gender ideology.” The EO rescinds related guidance previously issued by agencies, including Title IX guidance issued by the Department of Education. The EO will likely also impact employment and labor policies, including by revoking the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s “Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace” guidance.
Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence
Issued on January 23, this EO on Artificial Intelligence (AI) is focused on “America’s dominance in AI” and directs the creation of a new AI Action Plan led by the Assistant to the President for Science & Technology, the White House AI & Crypto Czar, and the National Security Advisor. The new EO revokes the previous Biden Administration EO on “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence” from October 2023.The new AI EO builds on the first Trump Administration’s role in AI that enabled “doubling AI research investment, established the first-ever national AI research institutes, strengthened American leadership in AI technical standards, and issued the world’s first AI regulatory guidance to govern AI development in the private sector.” Note that there is no mention of the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) in the EO, but the PCAST EO below does refer to the NAIRR as a “groundbreaking research and collaboration.”
A factsheet on the EO is available here.
Establishment of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
Issued on January 23, as previous Presidential Administrations have done, President Trump has issued this EO to establish the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). PCAST will be co-chaired by the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology (Michael Kratsios) and the White House A.I. and Crypto Czar (David Sacks) and will include up to 24 members that will be “distinguished individuals and representatives from sectors outside of the Federal Government appointed by the President.” PCAST will also champion new investments in innovation and remove bureaucratic barriers to ensure the U.S. remains the global leader in science and technology. The EO refers to Biden Administration DEI efforts and states that “PCAST will restore excellence by bringing together the brightest minds from academia, industry, and government to prioritize measurable results, foster innovation, and dismantle barriers to scientific progress.” Finally, the EO highlights a focus to build on innovation initiatives from the first Trump Administration such as the national initiatives on AI and Quantum; frameworks for “areas such as autonomous driving systems, unmanned aerial systems, and biotechnology, ensuring a balanced approach to innovation and safety;” accelerating projects including the NAIRR, spectrum auctions to advance 5G, and supercomputing systems.
Restoring America’s Fighting Force
Issued on January 27, this EO aims to eliminate race and sex-based discrimination within Armed Forces of the United States. The EO aims to implement policy where the Armed Forces operates free from preference based on race or sex. It directs the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Homeland Security abolish DEI offices and programs across DOD and DHS.
Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies
Issued on February 18, this EO aims to give the president greater power over independent regulatory agencies — government entities Congress set up to be shielded from White House control. Well-known independent regulatory agencies include the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Radical Transparency About Wasteful Spending
On February 18, this memo was issued to all federal agencies. The memo directs executive departments and agencies to “make public, to the maximum extent permitted by law… the complete details of every terminated program, canceled contract, terminated grant, or any other discontinued obligation of Federal funds.”
Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy
Issued on February 19, the EO states that the policy of the Trump Administration is to dramatically reduce the size of the Federal Government to “minimize Government waste and abuse, reduce inflation, and promote American freedom and innovation.” The agencies targeted for elimination in this EO are the Presidio Trust, the Inter-American Foundation, the U.S. African Development Foundation, and the U.S. Institute of Peace. OPM is also directed to terminate the Presidential Management Fellows Program and withdraw related Federal regulations. The EO directs heads of agencies to terminate multiple federal advisory committees – USAID’s Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Academic Research Council and the Credit Union Advisory Council, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (FDIC) Community Bank Advisory Council, HHS’s Advisory Committee on Long COVID, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMMS) Health Equity Advisory Committee. Lastly, the Assistants to the President for National Security Affairs, Economic Policy, and Domestic Policy are directed to provide lists of additional unnecessary governmental entities and federal advisory committees that should be terminated.