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- President Trump has signed an executive order to expand White House control over independent regulatory agencies.
- The order aims to increase presidential oversight over agencies like the Federal Trade Commission, Federal Communications Commission, and Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Critics view this move as a significant power grab and express concerns about diminished agency independence.
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Quick Brief
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Essential Context
President Trump’s latest executive order targets independent regulatory agencies, which have historically operated with a degree of autonomy from the White House. This move is seen as part of President Trump’s broader effort to consolidate executive power and align these agencies more closely with his administration’s priorities.
Core Players
- President Donald Trump – Issuer of the executive order
- Russell Vought – Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
- Attorney General Pam Bondi – Influential in the Justice Department’s role in the new order
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – Key agencies affected
Key Numbers
- February 20, 2025 – Date of the executive order
- 3 Agencies – Specifically named in the White House fact sheet (FTC, FCC, SEC)
- Multiple Agencies – Impacted across the government, including energy and environmental agencies
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The Catalyst
President Trump signed the executive order on February 20, 2025, arguing that independent regulatory agencies lack sufficient accountability to the President. This move is part of President Trump’s effort to assert greater control over the executive branch.
“Voters and the President can now hold all Federal agencies — not just Cabinet departments — responsible for their decisions, as the Constitution demands,” the White House stated.
Inside Forces
The order requires all executive departments and agencies, including independent ones, to submit proposed and final regulations to the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review before publication. This step significantly expands OIRA’s jurisdiction, a move that previous administrations had considered but not implemented.
Russell Vought, the OMB Director, will establish performance standards and regularly review the spending of these agencies to ensure alignment with White House priorities.
Power Dynamics
The executive order grants the White House substantial veto power over agency actions, according to Dan Farber of the University of California, Berkeley. Critics argue this undermines the independence of agencies, which was designed to protect them from political pressure.
Roger Weissman of Public Citizen labeled the move as a “Trumpian power grab,” fearing it will lead to agencies turning a blind eye to corporate wrongdoing and harming consumers and investors.
Outside Impact
The order’s implications extend beyond the immediate agencies mentioned. It could reshape the power structure within the executive branch, potentially influencing energy and environmental policies through agencies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Experts worry about the impact on campaign finance regulators, such as the Federal Election Commission, which enforces critical campaign finance laws. The loss of independence could compromise the integrity of these regulations.
Future Forces
The order is likely to face significant legal challenges, as it tests the boundaries of the unitary executive theory—a legal theory that suggests the President has sole authority over the executive branch. Many legal scholars consider this theory fringe and potentially unconstitutional.
The upcoming court battles will determine the extent to which the White House can exert control over these agencies, potentially setting a precedent for future administrations.
Data Points
- February 20, 2025 – Date of the executive order
- 3 – Key agencies specifically named (FTC, FCC, SEC)
- Russell Vought – OMB Director with new oversight responsibilities
- OIRA – Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs now with expanded jurisdiction
The executive order marks a significant shift in the balance of power within the federal government, raising concerns about the independence of regulatory agencies and the potential for increased political influence over their decisions.
