Donald Trump Signs Executive Order Consolidating Power In Executive
Overnight, Donald Trump signed an executive order that will consolidate power in the executive branch, making him and the Attorney General the only individuals able to decide "what is law" in the United States. Essentially, the executive order enables Trump to have power over independent agencies within the federal government.
This move now gives him greater influence over entities like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These agencies have been traditionally independent, even though they operate under the Executive Branch.
The executive order strips the independence from the agencies. This action, which reflects the "unitary executive theory," aims to consolidate presidential authority by placing agencies under the supervision of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), led by Trump ally Russ Vought.
Vought was also the architect of Project 2025. The order mandates these agencies to align with the president’s policies, sparking potential legal challenges, as many argue such moves violate their independent status.
Trump has already begun making significant personnel changes in these agencies, and the order marks a more aggressive approach than his previous attempts.
