Trump’s Executive Order Aims to Illegally Undermine Federal Independent Agencies, Shield Big Corporations from Accountability
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump today signed an executive order (EO) aimed at curtailing the powers of independent agencies, undermining the powers granted them through legislation. According to the White House fact sheet on Trump’s order, executive agencies will be required to submit any draft regulations to the White House for review. In response, Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen, issued the following statement:
“Trump’s illegal executive order on independent agencies aims to shield corporations from accountability and centralize more power with Trump and his minions.
“This is a profoundly dangerous idea for the nation’s health, safety, environment and economy – and for our democracy. Congress made independent agencies independent of the White House for good reason.
“The EO directs that all independent agencies shall subordinate themselves to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Trump’s OMB hatchet man, Russ Vought. Under the EO, independent agencies’ rules would be approved by OMB and Vought, their funding would be determined by OMB and Vought, and they would be required to follow White House policy dictates.
“In short, independent agencies would become dependent – dependent on the whims of Trump, Vought and their corporate buddies. This would be a disaster for America.
“The Federal Election Commission, for example, is independent of presidential control so that it can serve its election integrity mission without partisan favor. For all the FEC’s many faults, it would be far worse under the thumb of Trump and his OMB hatchet man, Russ Vought.
“The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are charged with defending consumer and investor rights and protecting market integrity. Their independence is designed to enable them to perform these duties without undue political pressure from giant corporations, the super rich and the super-connected. Trump’s EO would dissolve that independence and put the agencies under Trump’s thumb, ensuring they turn a blind eye to wrongdoing by favored corporations and leave consumers and investors out to dry.
“Not incidentally, both the FTC and SEC have ongoing investigations or enforcement actions against companies owned by Elon Musk.
“Americans should understand exactly what this is: A giant gift to the corporate class and a Trumpian power grab.”
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