This episode explores the expansion of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)'s power under President Trump's Executive Order 14215. Against the backdrop of a large and complex federal government, the episode highlights the role of OIRA in reviewing regulations from various agencies, ensuring consistency and alignment with the president's agenda. More significantly, the executive order extends OIRA's review to independent agencies like the SEC, FTC, and FCC, previously exempt from this process. For instance, the episode details a past instance where President George W. Bush intervened in an EPA regulation, illustrating the president's existing influence. This expansion raises concerns about potential political interference in independent agencies and challenges the principle of their independence, as argued by former SEC advisor Corey Frayer. In contrast, former OIRA administrator Susan Dudley supports the change, believing it will improve regulation quality. The episode concludes by discussing the legal challenges to the executive order and the potential implications for American democracy, particularly in light of the Unitary Executive Theory.
