The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton The Trump administration is eliminating expert panels at a historic pace, reshaping how agencies make decisions
Nov 24, 2025
Robert Iafolla, principal legal reporter for Bloomberg Law, dives into the rapid dismantling of federal advisory panels during the Trump administration. He highlights how this trend weakens scientific input, transferring decision-making power to political appointees. Iafolla reveals that about 160 committees have been terminated, often against agency objections, and discusses the implications for public policy and transparency. The conversation also touches on the potential for continued cuts and the challenges ahead for maintaining expert guidance in government.
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Panels Deliver Hard-To-Find Expertise
- Federal advisory panels provide specialized expertise to agencies and typically meet a few times a year.
- They offer free technical advice that agencies often lack internally and improve policy durability and feasibility.
Historic Spike In Committee Terminations
- The Trump administration has terminated advisory committees at an unusually high rate compared with past presidencies.
- About 160 committees were formally ended, plus others were emptied or idled, far above prior averages.
Cuts Hit Health And Statistical Panels Hardest
- Advisory committees are widespread, with HHS holding the most and about 50 agencies having at least one.
- Many panels review grants or provide technical statistical guidance, functions lost when panels are cut.