​As of April 13, 2025, several significant developments have occurred within independent federal agencies during President Donald Trump’s second term. These changes include leadership transitions, policy shifts, and structural reorganizations that have sparked discussions about the balance between executive authority and agency independence.​

1. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

• Dismissal of Commissioners: On March 18, 2025, President Trump dismissed Democratic FTC Commissioners Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya. Both commissioners have filed a lawsuit challenging their removal, citing the 1935 Supreme Court decision in Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, which restricts the president’s ability to remove FTC commissioners without cause. ​Lathrop GPM+8Hughes Hubbard & Reed+8KHBS+8

• Senate Confirmation: On April 10, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed Mark Meador, a Republican, as a new FTC commissioner, solidifying a Republican majority on the commission. ​Wikipedia+3Reuters+3Lathrop GPM+3

• Concerns Over Data Access: Former commissioners Slaughter and Bedoya expressed concerns about potential access to sensitive FTC data by staff from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. They emphasized the importance of safeguarding confidential business information. ​ReutersProtect Democracy+1Reuters+1

2. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

• Proposed Restructuring: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has proposed significant changes to FEMA’s operations. Plans include eliminating FEMA’s role in funding long-term rebuilding efforts and halting grant programs for disaster preparedness, effectively limiting the agency to immediate disaster response. These proposed changes have sparked debate about the federal government’s role in disaster management and the potential impacts on communities recovering from disasters. ​Senator Welch

• Workforce Reduction: On April 7, 2025, Secretary Noem announced a voluntary workforce reduction across the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including agencies like FEMA. Employees were offered buyout options to align staffing with evolving mission needs. The program aims to significantly reduce the size of DHS. ​AP News+2Politico+2Business Insider+2

3. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH)

• Leadership Confirmations: The U.S. Senate has confirmed President Trump’s nominees, Martin Makary and Jay Bhattacharya, to lead the FDA and NIH, respectively. Makary’s confirmation as FDA Commissioner and Bhattacharya’s as NIH Director come amid controversies over mass firings of federal employees and proposed funding cuts to federal research, which have raised concerns about the future of scientific research and public health initiatives.​

4. Executive Orders Affecting Independent Agencies

• Increased Executive Oversight: President Trump has issued executive orders asserting greater control over independent agencies, challenging their traditional autonomy. These orders mandate that agencies submit draft regulations for White House review and align their strategic plans with administration priorities. Legal scholars and agency officials have expressed concern that these actions undermine the independence essential for impartial regulation and oversight.​

5. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

• Agency Closures: Under the direction of Elon Musk, DOGE has effectively shuttered the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), an agency responsible for mediating labor disputes since 1947. Critics argue that this closure could lead to prolonged labor strikes and negatively impact the economy.​

Implications of These Changes

The recent actions affecting independent agencies reflect a broader effort by the Trump administration to assert executive control over federal operations. Supporters argue that increased oversight ensures accountability and aligns agency actions with elected leadership’s policies. However, critics contend that undermining agency independence compromises their ability to function impartially, potentially jeopardizing consumer protections, financial stability, and public health.​

As these developments unfold, they are likely to face legal challenges and prompt ongoing debates about the appropriate balance between executive authority and the autonomy of independent agencies.​

Note: This page will be updated as more information becomes available.