Presidential Authority and Agency Accountability

President Trump signed an executive order aiming to increase presidential oversight of all federal agencies, including independent agencies like the FTC, FCC, and SEC. This order asserts that these agencies have wielded excessive power without sufficient presidential control. A stated goal of this order is to ensure these agencies are more accountable to the American people. The order mandates that all proposed and final significant regulatory actions from these agencies be submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review before publication.

The Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is tasked with setting performance standards for independent agency heads and reporting on their performance to the president. Furthermore, the OMB Director will review agency obligations for alignment with presidential priorities and adjust apportionments as deemed necessary. Independent regulatory agency chairs are directed to consult with OMB, the Domestic Policy Council, and the National Economic Council.

The executive order explicitly excludes the Federal Reserve and the Federal Open Market Committee in its conduct of monetary policy from this increased oversight. The Federal Reserve is still subject to presidential oversight only in matters directly related to its supervision of financial institutions. The order states that President and Attorney General legal opinions will be binding upon all executive branch agency employees. Further, no employee may publicly express or issue regulations or other guidance contravening the opinions of the president or attorney general.

Transparency in Government Spending

President Trump signed a memorandum mandating increased transparency in federal spending. This action aims to reveal wasteful use of taxpayer dollars, particularly on programs, contracts, and grants. Executive departments and agencies are instructed to publicly disclose the details of every terminated program, cancelled contract, and discontinued obligation of federal funds. This release must be to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Border Security and Immigration

The administration reported a significant drop in illegal border crossings in January 2025, attributing the decline to President Trump's return to office and his immigration policies. Apprehensions at the southern border decreased by 36% from December to January and dropped by 85% in the 11 days following January 20th compared to the same period in 2024.

Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

President Trump signed an executive order aimed at increasing access to and affordability of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) for Americans. The administration acknowledges the financial burden of IVF and seeks to alleviate it through policy recommendations focusing on easing regulatory burdens. Within 90 days, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy will submit these recommendations to the President.

DOGE and Executive Order Implementation

Elon Musk, working unpaid, leads a team of tech experts known as DOGE (Digital Oversight Group of Experts) whose primary function is to ensure the implementation of presidential executive orders. Musk highlighted the role of DOGE in stopping the use of taxpayer money for hotels housing illegal immigrants and emphasized the importance of DOGE in countering bureaucratic resistance to the president's agenda.