Trump Enacts Controversial Constitutional Theory for EO to Seize Control of Independent Agencies, Reportedly Making Himself the Most Powerful President in History
In a sweeping move that could fundamentally transform executive authority, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at bringing independent federal agencies under direct White House control, citing a controversial interpretation of Constitutional powers that experts say could reshape the presidency for generations to come.
The order, which focuses on “reigning in independent agencies,” would place numerous traditionally independent departments under executive branch oversight, including the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Trade Commission and Securities and Exchange Commission.
Under the new directive, these agencies would answer directly to the president rather than maintaining their traditional independence established by Congress, marking a significant departure from decades of governmental structure.
Politico reports that at the center of this transformation is Russel Vought, head of the Office of Management and Budget and architect of Project 2025.
The order grants Vought unprecedented authority to establish performance standards for independent agency heads and review their budgets to align with presidential priorities.
This power extends to regular consultation and coordination of policies with the White House Domestic Policy Council and National Economic Council.
“This would allow the government” to “be truly accountable to the American people,” Trump stated regarding the executive action, according to the Daily Mail, positioning the move as a fulfillment of his longtime promise to “drain the swamp.”
The order draws heavily on the unitary executive theory, a conservative Constitutional interpretation suggesting Article II grants the president complete authority over executive branch officials and employees.
This theory argues for presidential power to override Congressional oversight, including the ability to dismiss heads of independent agencies at will, potentially concentrating more power in the executive branch than at any previous point in American history.
In a notable demonstration of this new authority, Daily Mail noted that Trump has already removed the leaders of the National Labor Relations Board and the Office of Government Ethics.
The order further mandates that federal employees cannot advance legal interpretations that conflict with positions held by the president or attorney general, effectively centralizing legal interpretation within the executive branch.
Adding another layer to this administrative overhaul, Trump has enlisted tech entrepreneur Elon Musk to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
During a joint interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Trump praised Musk’s business acumen and efficiency, while Musk characterized his role as “tech support” for implementing the president’s agenda.
The interview, which aired last Tuesday evening, showcased the apparent chemistry between the two, with Hannity remarking that he felt like he was “interviewing two brothers.”
“I wanted somebody really smart to work with me in terms of the country, a very important aspect, because, I mean… he’s actually a very good businessman,” Trump said of his self-described “first buddy.”
The Tesla and SpaceX founder’s new role has already yielded significant results, with the DOGE canceling billions in contracts previously awarded by the Education Department and National Institutes of Health, particularly targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Musk defended his role against critics, stating, “The president is the elected representative of the people, so it’s representing the will of the people.”
“And if the bureaucracy is fighting the will of the people and preventing the president from implementing what the people want, then what we live in is a bureaucracy and not a democracy.”
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
Leave a Comment