How Trump Is Coming for US Independent Regulators: QuickTake

For decades, the US regulators who work to keep inflation down and economic growth up, ensure markets are competitive and transparent, safeguard elections, and protect workers, consumers and investors have operated largely free of political influence. The Federal Reserve, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Federal Election Commission, and more than a dozen other regulatory agencies have a remit to make and enforce rules under leaders who are protected from being removed by the president. Their independence is meant to guarantee that their decisions serve only one master: the public.

President Donald Trump wants to upend that arrangement. The president and ...