Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Eliminates Information Silos to Stop Waste, Fraud, and Abuse
STOPPING WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE THROUGH DATA TRANSPARENCY: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order stopping waste, fraud, and abuse by eliminating information silos.
On March 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order titled "Stopping Waste, Fraud, and Abuse by Eliminating Information Silos," aiming to enhance data transparency and inter-agency collaboration within the federal government.
Key Provisions of the Executive Order:
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Enhanced Data Access: Agency heads are directed to grant designated federal officials full and prompt access to all unclassified agency records, data, and systems. This measure is intended to facilitate the identification and elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse.
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Inter-Agency Data Sharing: The order mandates the removal of barriers to both intra- and inter-agency sharing and consolidation of unclassified records. Within 30 days, agency heads must rescind or modify internal guidance that hinders such data sharing. The White House
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State Program Oversight: Federal agencies are required to obtain comprehensive data from all state programs receiving federal funding, including third-party databases, to enhance oversight and reduce inefficiencies.
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Unemployment Data Access: The Secretary of Labor is granted immediate and unrestricted access to all unemployment data and related payment records to strengthen fraud detection and prevention efforts. The White House
Background and Rationale:
The executive order addresses longstanding issues of restricted data access within and between agencies, which have led to duplicated efforts, undetected overpayments, and unchecked fraud, costing taxpayers billions. In fiscal year 2023, an estimated $236 billion in improper payments were reported due to overpayments, inaccurate recordkeeping, and fraud.
Administration's Efficiency Initiatives:
This order is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to streamline federal operations and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies. Initiatives include the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a hiring freeze across federal agencies, and a 10-to-1 deregulation initiative to ensure new rules are justified by clear benefits. Reuters
Reactions and Implications:
While the executive order aims to promote efficiency and accountability, some experts have raised concerns about potential overreach and implications for civil liberties. The consolidation of data could lead to increased surveillance and misuse of information beyond the intended purpose of combating waste and fraud.
Overall, the executive order seeks to enhance data transparency and inter-agency collaboration to safeguard public funds, necessitating careful consideration of privacy and civil rights implications.
- Agency Heads are directed to grant full and prompt access of unclassified Agency records, data, and systems to Federal officials in order to identify and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.
- This includes authorizing and facilitating both the intra- and inter-Agency sharing and consolidation of unclassified Agency records.
- Agency Heads must ensure immediate, unfettered access to comprehensive data from all state programs that receive federal funding, including third-party databases, to enhance oversight.
- The Secretary of Labor will gain access to unemployment data and payment records to strengthen fraud detection efforts.
- This Executive Order enhances accountability and streamlines government operations by ensuring Federal Agencies share critical data, consistent with applicable privacy protections.
ELIMINATING BUREAUCRATIC INEFFICIENCY: Decades of restricted data access within and between agencies have led to duplicated efforts, undetected overpayments, and unchecked fraud, costing taxpayers billions.
- The Biden Administration’s lack of transparency allowed waste to flourish, with billions lost annually to improper payments and fraudulent claims.
- In fiscal year 2023, the Biden Administration reported an estimated $236 billion in improper payments as the result of overpayments, inaccurate recordkeeping, and fraud.
- 74% of these errors were overpayments, including payments to deceased individuals.
- The Biden Administration lost more than $925 billion total over four years to improper payments.
- Over the last 20 years, the Federal Government has made an estimated $2.7 trillion in such improper payments.
- This Executive Order dismantles unnecessary barriers, promotes inter-agency collaboration, and ensure the Federal Government operates responsibly and efficiently to safeguard public funds.
SHRINKING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: Since returning to office, President Trump has moved swiftly to fulfill his promise of a leaner, more effective government.
- On Day One, President Trump established the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) to examine how to streamline the Federal Government, eliminate unnecessary programs, and reduce bureaucratic inefficiency.
- President Trump directed a hiring freeze across federal agencies and limited new hires to one for every four departures.
- President Trump eliminated unnecessary agencies and government programs.
- President Trump launched a 10-to-1 deregulation initiative, ensuring every new rule is justified by clear benefits.
- President Trump promised to “cut waste, fraud, and abuse everywhere that we can find it, and there’s plenty of it.”