1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

President Trump's executive order violates the constitutional principle of separation of powers by attempting to consolidate control over independent federal agencies that Congress intentionally designed to operate autonomously from the White House. This brazen power grab undermines decades of precedent and upends crucial safeguards that insulate agencies like the Federal Trade Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Federal Election Commission from undue political interference. The order requires these independent agencies to submit all proposed regulations for White House review, effectively subjugating their rulemaking process to the president's whims. It also mandates constant consultation and policy coordination with the White House, stripping the agencies of their congressionally-mandated independence. This is an egregious overreach that jeopardizes the integrity of agencies tasked with objective oversight of matters ranging from financial markets and consumer protection to campaign finance laws. Compounding this disturbing executive overreach are President Trump's recent unilateral firings of independent agency leaders, flouting statutory protections enacted by Congress. His dismissal of the special counsel overseeing whistleblower protections and attempted removal of other agency heads exemplify his disdain for institutional checks on presidential power. I urge an unequivocal congressional response to reinstate the constitutional balance of powers and preserve the autonomy of independent agencies as a crucial guardrail against any president's authoritarian impulses. Please rebuke this executive order through all available legislative means and ensure these agencies can fulfill their critical governmental roles free from White House meddling or retaliation against officials who prioritize the rule of law over a president's self-interest.