Trump's Controversial Executive Orders Aim to Cut Regulations

In a bold move, President Trump has directed federal agencies to employ a novel method to dismantle longstanding environmental regulations, raising substantial legal questions. On April 11, 2025, the president signed three executive orders aimed at streamlining the regulatory landscape, particularly affecting energy and environmental oversight. The directive instructs agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy to implement “sunset” provisions that enforce automatic expirations of regulations by October 2026 unless specifically renewed for a limited five-year term.

The president’s actions, however, have drawn criticism for bypassing established legal frameworks. One particularly controversial order aims to reverse regulations controlling water flow in showerheads based on a striking rationale: “Because I say so.” This statement contradicts the 1946 Administrative Procedure Act, which mandates a thorough "notice and comment" process involving public engagement before any significant regulatory changes can occur. Legal experts are raising alarms, suggesting that such actions could be deemed illegal and anticipate challenges in court.

Jody Freeman, a prominent legal scholar at Harvard, characterized the president's approach as entirely unlawful, expressing concern over the implications for due process in regulatory measures. The outcome of these executive orders remains uncertain as the Trump administration takes ambitious steps toward reshaping environmental policy without the usual legal constraints, igniting a contentious debate over regulatory authority and public oversight.