Critics of EO axing advisory panels urge Trump to rescind order

Environmental groups, unions, universities and other professional organizations are urging President Donald Trump in a new letter to rescind his June executive order (EO) requiring EPA and other agencies to disband one-third of their federal advisory committees (FACs), arguing the order is “arbitrary,” “specious” and harmful. “By requiring elimination of one-third of existing advisory committees and capping the total number of committees at 350, the order would arbitrarily eliminate essential advice that informs government decisionmaking. Its rationale is specious, and...