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EO 13967Executive OrderTrump 45 · R

Executive Order 13967

Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture

Federal WorkforceFederal WorkforceDemocracy & GovernanceDemocracy & Governance

In simple terms

This executive order establishes a preference for classical and traditional architecture in new federal buildings, particularly in Washington, D.C., where classical architecture is designated as the default style. It creates a temporary President's Council to recommend updates to GSA policies and requires presidential notification for approval of modernist designs like Brutalist or Deconstructivist architecture.

Federal Register Open PDF 85 FR 83739

Record & deadlines

  1. Signed

    Signed by the President

  2. FR published

    Published in the Federal Register · 85 FR 83739

    Federal Register PDF

  3. Council report to Administrator recommending GSA policy updates

  4. Council terminates unless extended by President

  5. Administrator notification to President before approving non-preferred designs (30 days before GSA could reject without substantial expenditures)

Key directives

  • Classical and traditional architecture is preferred for applicable federal public buildings
  • In D.C., classical architecture shall be the default absent exceptional factors
  • GSA must seek input from future users and local public before selecting architects or designs
  • Administrator must notify President 30+ days before approving non-preferred designs including Brutalist or Deconstructivist
  • Council must submit report to Administrator before September 30, 2021 recommending GSA policy updates
  • Council terminates September 30, 2021 unless extended by President

Who is ordered

Prior policy

  • supersedeGuiding Principles for Federal Architecture (1962)

What to expect

Immediate

  • Classical architecture becomes preferred/default for D.C. federal buildings
  • GSA Administrator must adhere to section 2 policies
  • President's Council established

Near term (90d)

  • Council operations and meetings
  • Council report to Administrator due before September 30, 2021

Long term

  • Potential lasting changes to federal building design standards if policies are implemented
  • Council terminates September 30, 2021 unless extended

Risks & tensions

  • Order explicitly excludes 'artists, architects, engineers, critics, professors' and industry-affiliated groups from definition of 'general public'—unusual narrowing of stakeholder input
  • Mandatory presidential notification for non-classical designs creates political bottleneck but also potential for politicization of aesthetic decisions
  • Council's short lifespan (9 months) may limit substantive policy implementation before potential administration change
  • Vague 'exceptional factors' exception for D.C. default leaves undefined escape hatch
  • Feasibility/economy test for renovations (sec. 2(c)) is weak—'substantial consideration' not mandate
  • Order was issued weeks before end of presidential term, suggesting limited time for institutional embedding
Executive Order 13967: Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture · Executive Orders