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submitted 2 weeks ago by sundrei@lemmy.sdf.org to c/news@lemmy.world
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[-] tiefling@lemmy.blahaj.zone 135 points 2 weeks ago

Erasing an entire branch of the US government

A branch that favors him, nonetheless

[-] Steve@communick.news 73 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

The headline is misleading. The order is specifically limited to executive branch employees.
Basically saying they aren't allowed to use their own judgement to determine legality of what they're asked to do. They have to follow the judgement of the president and the AG, and do what's ordered of them.

"Sec. 7. Rules of Conduct Guiding Federal Employees’ Interpretation of the Law. The President and the Attorney General, subject to the President’s supervision and control, shall provide authoritative interpretations of law for the executive branch. The President and the Attorney General’s opinions on questions of law are controlling on all employees in the conduct of their official duties. No employee of the executive branch acting in their official capacity may advance an interpretation of the law as the position of the United States that contravenes the President or the Attorney General’s opinion on a matter of law, including but not limited to the issuance of regulations, guidance, and positions advanced in litigation, unless authorized to do so by the President or in writing by the Attorney General. "

[-] TrickDacy@lemmy.world 46 points 2 weeks ago

Still unconstitutional as fuck

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[-] alt_xa_23@lemmy.world 24 points 2 weeks ago

Yeah, it seems that much of the discussion online is based on the press conference where the order was announced, not the actual text of the order.

[-] CileTheSane@lemmy.ca 18 points 2 weeks ago

So he wants them to "just follow orders"...

[-] Sturgist@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 weeks ago

What's wrong with that? Nothing horrific has been perpetrated in the past by people who were "just following orders".....

[-] catloaf@lemm.ee 7 points 2 weeks ago

Is that not already how it works?

[-] Steve@communick.news 19 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

In practical terms yes.
Technically, if someone thinks something their told to do is illegal, they can refuse to do it, and go to court over it. I don't know the details really. I'd guess it's something mostly along the lines of whistleblower stuff. Which almost never works out for the whistleblower. So yah. This order likely won't have any practical effect. But it can be twisted into great headline. I'm going to stop there, before I get into a big rant about how stupid and lazy most news media is, and why.

[-] nickhammes@lemmy.world 9 points 2 weeks ago

n a normal administration I think you're right, but this isn't a normal administration. Officials who take an oath are sworn to uphold the constitution, not to follow orders from the president. Soldiers have a duty to disobey illegal orders, and DOJ attorneys have similar traditions.

If the president and top Justice department officials are knowingly and repeatedly ordering them to take actions that are clearly illegal, and are publicly known to be doing so.. they're not whistleblowers, they're conscientious objectors to a criminal enterprise being run openly by public officials.

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[-] neon_nova@lemmy.dbzer0.com 21 points 2 weeks ago

It doesn’t seem that this bill does that.

I think it’s taking power from agencies like the fda and fcc. It doesn’t say anything about the courts.

But I might not understand everything perfectly.

[-] AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.world 12 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Most of the judicial branch’s effective power comes from precedent: the court rules on one case, and that informs other officials’ interpretation of the law in similar circumstances going forward. This order seems to replace judicial precedent with the president’s opinion as the basis for interpreting the law outside the courts, with the court now only able to override that opinion on a case by case basis.

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[-] jmcs@discuss.tchncs.de 9 points 2 weeks ago

That still reduces the executive to "just following orders" which is a principle that's not accepted anywhere that follows the rule of law.

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[-] Jhex@lemmy.world 60 points 2 weeks ago

Is this enough of a coup for a general strike yet? Or are you still waiting to see how it pans out?

[-] JollyG@lemmy.world 52 points 2 weeks ago

This does not extend to the Judicial branch. It only applies to the Executive branch. You can read the EO yourself to see that fact.

This is bad because it is trying to exert control over independent agencies, and pretty stupid because there is something like 5000 final rules and proposed rules in the Federal Register last year, so if this were seriously implemented, the AG and POTUS would just sit in teams meetings for the rest of their terms while potential rules get discussed.

This is bad because it undermines the independence of federal agencies, it does not actually impact the Judicial system however.

[-] adarza@lemmy.ca 46 points 2 weeks ago

those independent agencies are set up that way specifically to avoid being controlled by a president.

[-] jmcs@discuss.tchncs.de 18 points 2 weeks ago

It still says that executive branch employees should just follow orders, which is not compatible with the rule of law.

[-] AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.world 16 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

This is bad because it undermines the independence of federal agencies, it does not actually impact the Judicial system however.

I assume that independent agencies would primarily look to judicial precedents for guidance on interpreting the law, so the order is stripping the judicial system’s influence even if it’s not stripping its explicit authority.

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[-] TwiddleTwaddle@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 2 weeks ago

Seems like a great opportunity for some malicious compliance. Force them to preside over every decision

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[-] gazby@lemmy.dbzer0.com 51 points 2 weeks ago

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

--

🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨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.

[-] blackn1ght@feddit.uk 23 points 2 weeks ago

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

Just like how the soviets would have a "political" officer that would report everything back to the KGB to keep everyone in line.

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[-] randon31415@lemmy.world 38 points 2 weeks ago

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.

[-] Talaraine@fedia.io 38 points 2 weeks ago

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?

[-] Monstrosity@lemm.ee 14 points 2 weeks ago

SCOTUS will, I think, be fine with this. It's what they were installed to do.

[-] futatorius@lemm.ee 38 points 2 weeks ago

In other words, more evidence that this is a coup.

[-] dan1101@lemm.ee 26 points 2 weeks ago

He has already shown himself completely unqualified to interpret or follow laws.

[-] Ebby@lemmy.ssba.com 22 points 2 weeks ago

Can we, maybe, impeach him now?

Pretty please with a cherry on top.

[-] kescusay@lemmy.world 29 points 2 weeks ago

The Republican-controlled House and Senate could end this today. Like, right now. They could put a complete stop to it. They could remove Trump and Vance simultaneously, resulting in Mike Johnson - a total scumbag, but not one who wants to obliterate the United States - becoming the president.

Right now. They could do it right now. But they won't.

[-] grue@lemmy.world 14 points 2 weeks ago

So then the question becomes, how do we force them to do it anyway?

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[-] astrsk@fedia.io 22 points 2 weeks ago

How many days has it been now?

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 28 points 2 weeks ago

He was sworn in on January 20th. It is not yet a month.

[-] astrsk@fedia.io 8 points 2 weeks ago

He’s really going for the WR huh.

[-] Rubanski@lemm.ee 6 points 2 weeks ago

53 days is the WR

[-] nonfuinoncuro@lemm.ee 6 points 2 weeks ago

we're all watching the livestream of his speedrun using every exploit. tbf he's nailing it

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[-] VieuxQueb@lemmy.ca 19 points 2 weeks ago

What are Americans waiting to get him off the throne he's created for himself ?

[-] P1nkman@lemmy.world 18 points 2 weeks ago

Oh, look at that; another Project 2025 itemticked off on the list.

[-] Sanctus@lemmy.world 16 points 2 weeks ago

And there we go, officially, nobody can say we have our democracy anymore. Officially destroyed.

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[-] Maggoty@lemmy.world 12 points 2 weeks ago

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.

[-] foggy@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago

It's currently all about shock and awe. You've got the right approach.

This is them laying cards on the table, nothing more. Yet.

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[-] Hobbes_Dent@lemmy.world 11 points 2 weeks ago

“No, not like that.”

- The Supreme Court

[-] lupusblackfur@lemmy.world 10 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

So much for the judicial branch...

Well, TBF, he's usurped Congress with no real meaningful fight so far...

Might as well start on the judiciary now rather than wait.

🤦‍♀️🤷🫏🤡🖕🖕

[-] NJSpradlin@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

This isn’t about the judicial, though.

It’s about the FTC, SEC, or other government regulators that have historically acted on behalf of the President to interpret laws when regulating the sectors under their purview. The WH and Trump are saying that they’re reigning these regulators in and requiring direct AG or President oversight. Remember when they said that* they should just gut all regulations? This is that.

[-] adarza@lemmy.ca 9 points 2 weeks ago

that's literally the job of the judicial branch of government, not yours, you fucknut. your 'job' is to go play golf, scam some money from the secret service travel budgets, and to shut the fuck up. you are not qualified nor fit for office of any kind.

[-] neon_nova@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 2 weeks ago

But he said he would be a dictator in day one only!

About half the country knew that this would happen. And voted against him, a lot of people who did vote for him were uninformed.

I think there is genuinely a small percent of people who are happy about what’s. Even happening.

I’ve been living abroad for the past few years and seeing America fall this way stresses me out and makes me sad thinking of my family and friends who still live there.

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[-] HurlingDurling@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

Oh I see, so not the House, Congress, or the Supreme court... gotcha...

So, when is military coup to remove orange turd?

[-] TachyonTele@lemm.ee 5 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

c) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. 

From the executive order.
I interpret this as having zero effect at all. Inal but it seems like it's a throw shit at the wall and see what sticks type of exo.

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[-] ehpolitical@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 weeks ago

Was he somehow forced to include the AG?

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[-] Rentlar@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 weeks ago

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!

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this post was submitted on 19 Feb 2025
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