Trump's Executive Order Expands White House Control Over Independent Agencies

Donald Trump has issued a controversial executive order that expands presidential oversight of independent agencies, igniting a fierce debate over government control.

Signed at Mar-a-Lago, the order mandates that regulatory bodies, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), must submit all proposed regulations for White House approval. The move is designed to align agency actions with the president’s policy goals. To enforce this, each agency will establish a new liaison position directly reporting to the White House.

A particularly controversial aspect of the order is that it grants exclusive authority to the president and the attorney general to interpret laws. This means that no executive branch employee can present a legal stance contradicting the White House’s position. Critics argue this undermines the fundamental independence of agencies that were designed to function without direct presidential control.

The White House defended the decision, claiming it will curb regulatory overreach and ensure agencies remain accountable to elected leadership. “Now, they will no longer impose rules on the American people without oversight or accountability,” the administration stated.

However, legal experts and consumer advocacy groups see it differently. They warn that the order could weaken agencies' ability to enforce regulations designed to protect public health, financial markets, and corporate accountability.

“This is a profoundly dangerous idea for the nation’s health, safety, environment, and economy,” said Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen.

The order also empowers Trump’s budget director, Russell Vought, with new oversight responsibilities, including setting performance standards for agency heads.

With legal challenges already in motion, this executive order could reshape the balance of power between the presidency and independent regulators, setting the stage for a major constitutional battle.

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