Testing the limits of presidential power, Donald Trump this week tightened his grip on U.S. government agencies that for years have taken pride in their independence overseeing such matters as elections, stock markets and labor unrest, our colleagues Trevor Hunnicutt, Tom Hals and Jody Godoy write.
A new order this week from Trump allows the White House greater oversight of the Federal Election Commission, the SEC, the NLRB and other agencies whose day-to-day activities are traditionally kept at arm's length from the president.
The order was the latest show of force in a series that has removed critics from office, defunded federal programs, loosened government oversight and frozen billions of dollars in spending approved by Congress. Critics called the order another unprecedented power grab, while legal scholars said it would likely be challenged for overstepping the president's constitutional authority.
