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Welcome to logoff. Today, I focus on the Trump administration's efforts to control independent regulators. This holds the power that affects the balance of government power and your daily life.
What's the latest? Donald Trump issued an executive order on Tuesday, putting a series of independent regulators (and their investigation and rules-making processes) directly under White House control.
How does that change how things work now? Dozens of independent federal agencies have the power to interpret federal law and launch investigations into questionable rule breakers. The President appoints the leader to the agency's board of directors. However, the terms of many commissioners are longer than a single administration, and the president cannot fire them just because he does not like their decisions.
Under Trump's new rules, that autonomy will disappear.
What are these independent institutions? There are dozens of people including:
Are they all included? This order exempts the Federal Reserve work, especially to set interest rates, but that's it!
What's next? The executive order almost certainly faces legal challenges, and questions about the scope of the administration could be kicked to the Supreme Court. The independence of these agencies is protected by law, but the Trump team argues that these laws are unconstitutional.
What is the overall picture? Trump is once again trying to expand his power. Congress will pass laws that give these agencies a measure of independence and will oversee lawmakers their oversight. Trump is now claiming his own power, claiming his independence and failing to explain them.
But how does that affect me? These institutions regulate so many aspects of daily life. It prevents everything from predatory business practices to reactor meltdowns.
And so, it's time to log off…
How's it lately? If the answer is “not working”, I'm listening for you, courtesy of Vox's Please explain it to me Podcast. This week they interviewed sleep psychologists to get answers to questions like: Why am I an owl at night? How can I take a responsible nap? And what should I do about my chronic struggle to stay asleep? Please enjoy. I'll see you here tomorrow.
