Former President Donald Trump has reiterated his commitment to dismantling what he terms the “deep state,” reducing government bureaucracy, and curbing military interventions. In a recent statement, he declared, “I will obliterate the deep state, drain the swamp, and starve the warmongers.” This pledge aligns with his broader agenda to overhaul federal spending and reassert executive authority. 
Restoring Impoundment Power
Central to Trump’s strategy is the restoration of presidential impoundment authority—a power that allows the president to withhold or delay spending approved by Congress. This authority was curtailed by the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, following concerns over executive overreach. Trump has expressed intentions to challenge this law’s constitutionality in court and, if necessary, work with Congress to overturn it. He argues that reinstating impoundment will enable the executive branch to eliminate wasteful spending and reduce the size of the federal government .  
Targeting Bureaucracy and Military Spending
As part of his plan, Trump aims to identify and eliminate non-essential government entities and programs. In March 2025, he signed an executive order to continue reducing the federal bureaucracy by eliminating non-statutory functions and reducing statutory functions of unnecessary governmental entities . Additionally, he has pledged to redirect funds saved from these reductions to strengthen essential services, such as defense, Social Security, and Medicare.   
Trump’s rhetoric also targets what he perceives as the influence of military-industrial interests, referring to them as “warmongers.” He has criticized prolonged military engagements and advocates for a more restrained foreign policy approach.
Legal and Constitutional Considerations
The proposal to restore impoundment authority raises significant constitutional questions. Critics argue that such unilateral action could upset the balance of powers between the executive and legislative branches. Marc Sandalow, a political analyst, expressed concerns that this approach might undermine the constitutional checks and balances system .  
As Trump continues to promote these policies, the debate over executive power and government spending remains a central issue in American political discourse.
