In a move to curb government overreach, President Donald Trump signed an unprecedented executive order on Wednesday. This order mandates that all federal agencies review their existing regulations for potential constitutional violations and any instances of causing harm to the American public. Agencies have 60 days to submit a comprehensive list of these regulations to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Leading this initiative are the OMB's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) and the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). DOGE officials within each agency will compile the initial inventory of potentially unconstitutional regulations, which will then be forwarded to the OMB. Following the 60-day period, OIRA will meticulously assess each regulation and initiate the repeal process for those deemed unconstitutional on a case-by-case basis.
President Donald Trump has signed more than 60 executive orders during his second term. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
This executive order follows a recent Supreme Court trend of limiting federal agencies' regulatory power, notably in the Sackett v. EPA case. This case involved a couple, Mike and Chantell Sackett, who were prevented by the EPA from building on their property near Priest Lake, Idaho, due to the agency's interpretation of the Clean Water Act. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of the Sacketts, clarifying that the Clean Water Act applies only to more permanent bodies of water.
The Supreme Court's decision in Sackett v. EPA clarified the scope of the Clean Water Act. (The Associated Press)
The new executive order reinforces the Trump administration's ongoing commitment to deregulation. Earlier this year, President Trump directed federal agencies to eliminate ten regulations for every new one implemented. This initiative expands upon previous deregulation efforts during his first term, which resulted in the elimination of five and a half regulations for every new one introduced.
