Trump Administration Moves to Repeal Unlawful Federal Regulations in Light of Supreme Court Rulings

In a bold move to streamline federal regulation, President Trump has mandated agencies to review and repeal regulations deemed unlawful based on ten recent Supreme Court rulings, while also spearheading efforts to foster competition and innovation.

In a significant shift aimed at enhancing the efficiency of federal governance, President Donald J. Trump has announced a new Presidential Memorandum that directs all executive departments and agencies to assess and repeal regulations identified as unlawful under ten pivotal Supreme Court rulings. This initiative builds on the earlier Executive Order 14219, titled “Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President’s ‘Department Of Government Efficiency’ Deregulatory Initiative,” which was signed on February 19, 2025.

The memorandum highlights the imperative for federal agencies to ensure their regulatory frameworks adhere to the constitutional boundaries reaffirmed by the Supreme Court. Landmark cases, including West Virginia v. EPA, Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, and SEC v. Jarkesy, have notably restricted broad interpretations of agency authority, reaffirming the importance of sticking closely to legislative mandates.

To streamline this process, the memorandum grants agencies permission to invoke the “good cause” exception under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). This allows federal agencies to expedite the repeal of regulations that conflict with the latest Supreme Court rulings, minimizing the delays typically associated with the notice-and-comment rulemaking process.

In addition to this directive, President Trump has tasked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with leading a government-wide initiative aimed at identifying federal regulations that stifle competition, entrepreneurship, and innovation. This effort extends beyond the FTC’s scope, encompassing any federal regulations that may have anticompetitive implications to foster a more vibrant economic landscape.

Agencies have been given a 60-day period to review their existing regulations through the lens of the specified Supreme Court decisions. Following this review, agencies are expected to take swift action to repeal or amend any regulations that exceed their statutory authority or are deemed unlawful. This coordinated effort reflects the current administration’s dedication to ensuring that federal regulatory practices align with constitutional and legislative frameworks.

Ultimately, President Trump’s directive signifies a pivotal move towards reinforcing the rule of law within federal governance, aiming to create a more accountable and constitutionally sound regulatory environment by aligning agency regulations with Supreme Court rulings and expediting the repeal of unlawful regulations.