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So, my understanding was prior to 1984 if a law was unclear, the courts would get involved and clarify. However, sometimes the courts wanted something that the writers of the law didn't want, and that thing was different from the current congress, which in of itself different from what the president wanted, which even could be different from what the independent executive branch department heads wanted.

This all came to a head with Chevron. In Chevron, anything unclear in a congressional law that applied to a executive branch's mission was left up to the head of that department which in a way was controlled by who the president nominated. In that way, if congress left something vague that meant the courts, congress, and the president all agreed that the head of the particular department in the executive branch got to decide it.

This peace lasted up until Loper in the end of 2024 under Biden. In it, the Supreme court said basically "If something is unclear, it is the courts and not the executive branch" that got to interpret the law. Not wanting to overturn 40 years of regulation, the courts said "anything made under Chevron is still good, but that stops now", most likely since they thought Biden was going to win again and they wanted to take away his power.

Now this EO is saying "No, lol, Loper doesn't mater. No one but the president himself (and DOGE) can interpret the law." At least both Loper and Trump agree that THE REGULATORS can't make new regulations. And because SCOTUS didn't really want that job, and Trump doesn't want to do anything, don't expect any new regulations for the next 4 years.

Lol, get fucked Trump.

As always this doesn't legally bypass laws. It can only go as far as the courts and civil service leaders let it go.

I admit such sweeping orders are scary but I refuse to panic until I see the extent of what they can actually get away with. Something to keep in mind about this is the president has actually had quite a bit of influence on "independent" agencies already. Much of what he wrote in this one is already true. Like the AG determining the government's legal position.

I think the biggest change here is putting OMB and the head of the 2025 project in direct competition with Musk for administrative power.

Was he somehow forced to include the AG?

This is Trump being mad at the situation regarding Eric Adams' trial and the refusal of the SDNY to drop the prosecution without prejudice in a quid pro quo scheme. They are trying to avoid people putting the constitution before the word of the Supreme Leader in the future.

Summary below taken from this r/law post by u/FormerJelloMaster

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🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨This Executive Order does the following:

❧ All federal agencies, including independent regulatory commissions, are now subject to direct White House control.

❧ Regulations cannot be issued without presidential approval.

❧ The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) can now withhold funding from independent agencies if they don’t align with White House priorities.

❧ All federal employees must follow the President’s and Attorney General’s interpretation of the law, eliminating legal independence.

❧ A White House Liaison is to be installed in every independent regulatory agency to enforce direct presidential control.

⚠️ This is the biggest executive power grab in U.S. history. ⚠️

This formally ends the concept of an “independent” regulatory agency, dismantling one of the last barriers to absolute executive power.

📍 This order effectively erases the last major restraints on executive power. 📍 The federal government no longer operates with checks and balances. 📍 Regulations and laws are now dictated solely by the President. 📍 If left unchecked, this is the moment the U.S. ceases to function as a democratic republic.

1️⃣ The President Now Controls All Regulatory Agencies

✅ The SEC, FTC, FCC, and FEC are no longer independent.

The Stock Market is now subject to White House control, enabling insider trading, favoritism, and targeting of political opponents. Antitrust laws can be selectively enforced, allowing administration-friendly monopolies to expand unchecked. Political opponents in the tech sector, media, or finance can be targeted with regulatory action while allies are protected. Elections are now influenced by direct White House oversight of the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

✅ The FDA, EPA, and consumer protection agencies are fully politicized.

Drug approvals, food safety regulations, and environmental policies can be rewritten for political or corporate interests. Climate change regulations can be erased overnight. Scientific research is now subject to White House approval before public release.

🚨 Implication: There is no longer any neutral enforcement of economic, environmental, or election laws. Everything is now dictated by political loyalty.

2️⃣ The White House Can Block Agency Budgets or Direct Funds Elsewhere

✅ The OMB can now adjust funding allocations for independent agencies.

This gives the President the power to defund agencies without needing Congress. Regulatory agencies that challenge presidential policies will be quietly strangled of resources. Agencies loyal to the President will receive full funding—even illegally. 🚨 Implication: Congress no longer controls federal spending on regulatory enforcement. The executive branch can choke out opposition agencies and reward allies.

3️⃣ The President & Attorney General Have Final Say on All Legal Interpretations ✅ All federal employees must follow White House interpretations of the law.

The Attorney General’s opinions override agency lawyers, inspectors general, and independent counsel. Agencies cannot adopt their own interpretations of legal statutes—everything must align with the President’s views. The President can rewrite federal legal interpretations overnight. 🚨 Implication: Legal consistency is gone. Agencies cannot push back against corrupt, illegal, or unconstitutional directives because the President’s interpretation is the only interpretation allowed.

4️⃣ Installing White House Liaisons in All Regulatory Agencies ✅ A “White House Liaison” will be placed in every independent agency.

This ensures constant presidential oversight of daily operations. These liaisons will report agency actions back to the White House and enforce political compliance. Agency directors will no longer have the ability to act without White House approval.

🚨 Implication: There is now a direct enforcement arm inside every regulatory body. Even agencies that resist presidential control will be internally monitored and controlled.

📍 Every regulatory body—from financial markets to environmental protections—is now politicized. 📍 Congress no longer controls federal funding—agencies must obey the White House or risk defunding. 📍 The President’s legal interpretations override all agency autonomy, eliminating independent enforcement of federal laws. 📍 The federal bureaucracy, once designed to be resistant to corruption, is now completely subject to presidential loyalty.

How many days has it been now?

To be completely fair, I'd love to see SCOTUS' faces right now. Do they and Congress not understand that they're losing all their influence?

This is extremely concerning, but let's control the spin a bit. This is for federal employees and their job duties, as I read it. Please tell me if I'm wrong

So the Supreme Court overturns the Chevron doctrine, saying that only the judicial branch can interpret US law.

Donald Trump Executive order's himself to be one of the two people in the executive branch who can interpret US law.

Quick! Congress, pass a law saying that only you can interpret US law, so we get a bingo!