Democratic Senators Urge President Trump and Major Leader Thune to Stop Gutting Independent Agencies, Blocking Democratic Nominees, and Handing Bipartisan Watchdogs To Loyalists

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and colleagues are sounding the alarm to President Donald Trump and Senate Republican Leader John Thune over the administration's concerted efforts to undermine the autonomy of independent agencies, citing the removal of Democratic leaders and the administration's refusal to nominate Democratic replacements to bipartisan leadership positions as required by statute. They write, "Congress designed these boards and commissions to be bipartisan and gave them the authority to regulate some of the most vital and significant parts of American life. But the Trump Administration appears intent on ensuring that it retains complete control over these agencies, with little interest in working in good faith with Congress. In a sharp break from precedent across Republican and Democratic administrations, you have refused in almost every instance to engage with Senate Democratic leadership in the normal process of identifying Democratic nominees to fill vacancies on independent agencies. Instead, the White House appears set on leaving the vast majority of these critical positions open indefinitely. We ask that you immediately reverse this stance, reinstate improperly terminated commissioners and board members, and publicly commit to working with the Minority Leader to fill other Democratic vacancies with qualified Democratic nominees."