Executive Order 13831-Establishment of a White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative
Issued 2018-05-03 by Donald J. Trump
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
On May 3, 2018, President Trump signed an executive order creating the White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative. This office, housed within the White House's Office of Public Liaison, replaces and renames previous faith-based offices that had existed under earlier administrations. The order makes faith-based and community organizations eligible to compete for federal grants, contracts, and other funding opportunities on what it describes as a "level playing field" with other organizations.
The initiative affects religious and community organizations seeking federal funding, as well as federal agencies that award grants and contracts. The order establishes that these faith-based groups can partner with the federal government on various programs, with the stated goal of strengthening families and communities through means outside traditional government approaches.
The constitutional basis for this action rests on the President's authority under Article II to manage the executive branch, including creating advisory bodies and task forces within the White House. However, legal scholars note that while presidents can generally create White House offices, there are limits—particularly if such reorganization conflicts with how Congress has structured federal agencies or if it attempts to create independent regulatory authority without legislative approval.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
Executive Order 13831 ("Executive Order 13831-Establishment of a White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative") restructures or establishes federal entities. The President has authority to manage the executive branch under Article II, including creating task forces, councils, and working groups within the White House. However, creating independent agencies with binding regulatory authority, or fundamentally restructuring congressionally created departments, typically requires legislative authorization.
The Reorganization Act historically provided a framework for executive reorganization subject to congressional review. Current reorganization authority is more limited. The constitutionality depends on whether this order creates White House advisory bodies (acceptable) or attempts to restructure agencies in ways that conflict with their enabling statutes (questionable).
Official Summary
Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2018 Executive Order 13831—Establishment of a White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative May 3, 2018 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to assist faith-based and other organizations in their efforts to strengthen the institutions of civil society and American families and communities, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1 . Policy . Faith-based and community organizations have tremendous ability to serve individuals, families, and communities through means that are different from those of government and with capacity that often exceeds that of government. These organizations lift people up, keep families strong, and solve problems at the local level. The executive branch wants faith-based and community organizations, to the fullest opportunity permitted by law, to compete on a level playing field for grants, contracts, programs, and other Federal funding opportunities. The efforts of faith-based and community organizations are essential to revitalizing communities, and the Federal Government welcomes opportunities to partner with such organizations through innovative, measurable, and outcome-driven initiatives. Sec. 2 . Amendments to Executive