White House seeks sway over FCC, FEC, FTC and some Fed operations. Politics professor Sarah Binder says it "grabs power from Congress."

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is moving to give the White House direct control of independent federal regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission.

A regulatory expert said the directive will likely be challenged in court, as Congress has largely shielded some of the affected agencies from involvement by the White House.

The order is an assertion of the fascistic theory of the “unitary executive,” which has no constitutional basis but is likely to be supported by the ultra-right majority on the Supreme Court.

President Donald Trump’s executive order imposing sweeping new limits on independent agencies undercuts their congressional protections against political influence.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order that seeks to bring independent federal agencies under his control.

The order is the latest example of Trump’s embrace of a broad and controversial theory of executive power. The White House is confident the Supreme Court will bless his approach.

The executive order will require federal agencies to submit a list to the Office of Management and Budget of regulations that could violate the Constitution.

In practical terms, the order seems unlikely to make much difference. The new FCC and FTC chairmen have already shown themselves to be enthusiastic supporters of Trump's agenda.