Trump Tightens Grip on Bank, M&A Regulators in Latest Order (1)

President Donald Trump sought to rein in independent federal agencies in an executive order Tuesday that aims to curb the ability of some of Washington’s most powerful regulators to oversee banks and other companies.

The order, which applies to agencies including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission, calls for the entities to submit draft regulations for White House review before publication and consult with the Trump administration on their priorities and strategic plans.

Independent agencies have frequently followed directives from the White House, but their mandates don’t require them to ...