The Peter Zeihan Podcast Series Rolling Back Regulations in the U.S. || Peter Zeihan
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Jan 27, 2026 A rundown of efforts to undo U.S. regulations and why the method matters. Contrasts in regulatory styles across recent administrations. How staffing changes and purges reshape rulemaking and enforcement. The legal and business risks when old rules stay on the books while enforcement is uneven.
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Rollback Promise Looks Good But Falls Short
- Peter Zeihan argues Trump’s 10-to-1 rollback pledge is broadly negative despite appearing pro-business.
- The effect depends on who staffs agencies and how regulations are actually enforced.
Staff Backgrounds Shaped Regulatory Style
- Zeihan contrasts Obama’s regulatory team of academics with Trump’s first-term team of corporate-experienced appointees.
- Experienced appointees removed burdensome rules they knew were pointless for business operations.
Understaffing Freezes Regulatory Change
- Zeihan says Trump’s second term removed experienced talent and left agencies understaffed.
- That created a freeze: few new rules but also no systematic cleanup of old, bad regulations.