Donald Trump has taken a step that past U.S. presidents have deliberately avoided, a move that experts believe could vastly expand his executive authority.
During his second term, Trump has rapidly signed a series of executive orders, each one reshaping policies in ways that previous administrations hesitated to touch. Among them are the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, the imposition of new tariffs on Canada and China, and restrictions on transgender women in sports. Earlier this month, he revoked COVID-19 vaccine mandates in schools, ended the federal procurement of paper straws, and replaced the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives with a new White House Faith Office.
On February 18, at the age of 78, Trump signed perhaps his most controversial executive order yet—placing independent federal agencies under direct White House oversight.
The Implications of Trump’s Order
The order mandates that agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) must now submit proposed regulations for presidential review instead of approving them autonomously. These agencies will also be required to coordinate their strategic priorities with lawmakers, effectively stripping them of their long-held independence.
Notably, the directive does not grant exceptions to any former independent agencies, with the sole exclusion of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy. It asserts that all executive branch officials fall under the president’s authority, with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) responsible for ensuring fiscal accountability.
“The President and the Attorney General will provide legal interpretation for the executive branch, preventing conflicting interpretations from separate agencies,” the order states.
The FTC, SEC, and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are explicitly named, with Trump arguing that they have wielded unchecked power for too long. He has criticized their regulations for allegedly stifling economic growth and costing the nation billions, vowing to bring their decisions under proper executive review.
“Executive power without accountability has no place in our Republic. Our Founders established a single President to ensure the faithful execution of the laws,” the order reads.
A New Era of Oversight
To enforce these changes, Trump has tasked Russell Vought, acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, with evaluating agency performance. Vought will report directly to the president, recommending budget changes and efficiency improvements in alignment with Trump’s broader agenda.
The Expansion of Presidential Power
With this move, Trump is consolidating executive power to an extent rarely seen in modern history. While previous presidents—including Barack Obama—largely refrained from interfering with independent regulatory agencies, Trump has chosen to challenge that long-standing norm. Many of these agencies have historically operated outside direct presidential control, with leaders who often outlast the administrations that appointed them.
By placing them under White House oversight, Trump is redefining the scope of presidential authority in ways that could have lasting effects. Critics argue that this could erode the independence meant to insulate these agencies from political influence, while supporters hail it as a necessary correction to bureaucratic overreach.
Regardless of perspective, one thing is clear—Trump’s decision marks a historic shift in the balance of power, positioning him as one of the most influential presidents in U.S. history.
