In a decisive move to consolidate executive authority, President Trump has enacted an executive order aimed at extending his influence over "so-called independent agencies."
This initiative seeks to bring regulatory bodies, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), under more direct White House oversight. The order mandates that all independent federal agencies and executive branches present draft regulations for White House review, aligning their priorities and strategic plans with the administration's objectives.
According to The New York Post, the executive order stipulates that the performance standards and budget allocations of these agencies will also be subject to White House scrutiny. A White House fact sheet elaborates on the rationale behind this directive, stating, "So-called independent agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have exercised enormous power over the American people without Presidential oversight."
It further emphasizes the financial and policy implications of these agencies' actions, noting, "These agencies issue rules and regulations that cost billions of dollars and implicate some of the most controversial policy matters, and they do so without the review of the democratically elected president."
The fact sheet continues to critique the agencies' autonomy, asserting, "They also spend American tax dollars and set priorities without consulting the President, while setting their own performance standards." The administration's stance is clear: "Now they will no longer impose rules on the American people without oversight or accountability." However, the directive notably exempts the Federal Reserve's monetary policy functions, such as interest rate adjustments, from its purview.
In addition to this order, President Trump signed several other directives, including one aimed at fulfilling a campaign promise to make in-vitro fertilization (IVF) more accessible. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted this initiative, tweeting, "PROMISES MADE. PROMISES KEPT: President Trump just signed an Executive Order to Expand Access to IVF!" The order seeks to develop policy recommendations to safeguard IVF access and significantly reduce associated costs for patients.
Trump's commitment to making IVF free was a key campaign promise, particularly as Democrats argued that Republican opposition to abortion could jeopardize access to such reproductive procedures. This latest series of executive actions underscores the administration's focus on expanding executive control and delivering on campaign pledges, reflecting a broader conservative agenda prioritizing individual freedoms and limited government intervention.
Login