In a sweeping move to assert greater control over federal regulatory agencies, President Trump issued an executive order on Monday mandating stricter White House oversight of rulemaking across the executive branch, including so-called independent regulatory agencies.
The order, titled “Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies,” directs independent regulators—such as the Federal Trade Commission and Securities and Exchange Commission—to submit all significant regulations to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review before implementation. This change eliminates long-standing latitude these agencies have had in shaping policies with minimal presidential supervision.
The executive order argues that previous administrations allowed independent agencies to wield “substantial executive authority” without adequate oversight, which, according to the White House, undermines accountability to the American people. The order asserts that regulatory power must be unified under the President, who is elected to ensure consistent execution of federal laws.
“For the Federal Government to be truly accountable to the American people, officials who wield vast executive power must be supervised and controlled by the people’s elected President,” the order states.
Under the new directive, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will establish performance standards for independent agencies and provide periodic assessments to the President. OMB will also monitor agencies’ spending to align with presidential priorities, potentially blocking certain expenditures. Additionally, the order requires agency leaders to coordinate policies with White House offices, including the Domestic Policy Council and National Economic Council.
A key component of the order is a provision requiring each independent agency to appoint a White House Liaison, a move critics say could erode agencies’ autonomy.
The Federal Reserve, which is traditionally shielded from direct White House influence in its monetary policymaking, is largely exempt from the order. However, the Board of Governors will still be subject to oversight concerning its role in financial institution regulation.
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