The new memo clarifies a footnote in a Jan. 27 Office of Management and Budget announcement that said agencies should "exclude military spouses working remotely based on the Military Spouse Employment Act.

President Trump issued an executive order titled “Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President’s ‘Department

President Donald Trump’s executive order grasping far greater control over independent federal agencies embraces a constitutionally questionable theory that presidents dating back to Ronald Reagan have considered – and ultimately rejected.

A regulatory expert said the directive will likely be challenged in court, as Congress has largely shielded some of the affected agencies from involvement by the White House.

In practice, the order would require Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought to approve any major actions by the independent agencies.