Democrats Sue Trump Over Executive Order Expanding Presidential Control of Independent Agencies

The lawsuit challenges an order that Democrats argue undermines the Federal Election Commission's independence and violates federal law.

The Democratic National Committee and its congressional campaign arms filed a lawsuit against President Trump over Executive Order 14215, issued on February 18, 2025.
The order grants the White House greater authority over traditionally independent agencies, including the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the National Labor Relations Board, and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Democrats argue the order violates the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) by undermining the FEC's bipartisan structure and allowing the president to dictate legal interpretations.
The lawsuit seeks to block the order, claiming it threatens fair elections by consolidating power in the hands of a single partisan figure.
The Department of Justice has not yet responded, and the lawsuit marks one of several legal challenges to Trump’s actions during the early weeks of his second term.