President Donald Trump and his administration are making a new move against independent agencies.
President Donald J. Trump has signed an executive order to increase White House oversight of independent federal agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
According to a “fact sheet” from the executive order signed on Tuesday, all executive agencies must submit any draft regulations to the White House for review—with the only listed exception being “monetary policy functions of the Federal Reserve,” which sets federal fund interest rates.
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Additionally, the agencies should “consult” on priorities and strategic plans with the White House, which will also set their performance standards.
The latest order aims “to restore constitutional governance and accountability to the entire executive branch,” the White House statement said.
What are independent executive agencies in the U.S.?
Independent executive agencies in the U.S. are federal organizations that are part of the executive branch but are not directly controlled by the president or a cabinet department. They are created by Congress to handle specific duties and operate independently, often to ensure objectivity and avoid political influence.
Examples of independent executive agencies include:
- NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration): Responsible for the U.S.’s civilian space program.
- EPA (Environmental Protection Agency): Oversees environmental protection and regulations.
- CIA (Central Intelligence Agency): Gathers and analyzes national security information.
- FCC (Federal Communications Commission): Regulates communication industries like TV, radio, and internet.
These agencies have more autonomy than those within cabinet departments, and their leaders are usually appointed by the president but serve fixed terms and can only be removed under specific circumstances.
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“The Office of Management and Budget will adjust so-called independent agencies’ apportionments to ensure tax dollars are spent wisely,” the White House statement read.
Agencies’ interpretations of law will also be dictated by the president and the attorney general “instead of having separate agencies adopt conflicting interpretations,” with the new order coming into effect.