Liberal group warns of ‘corporate takeover’ of the White House

As President Trump approaches his first 100 days in office, the left-leaning Public Citizen is warning about a “corporate takeover” of the White House that is demolishing regulatory protections.

In a report published Monday, Public Citizen raises concerns about the dozens of former business leaders serving in key Cabinet positions and hundreds of meetings between Trump and industry groups.

“It’s clear that there has been a wholesale corporate takeover of the government,” said Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen. 

The Trump administration is allowing “megacorporations to shape federal policy,” the group argues, pointing to more than a dozen Obama-era regulations the have been repealed through the Congressional Review Act.

The Congressional Review Act, which allows lawmakers to overturn with a simple majority regulations issued within the last 60 legislative days, has become a go-to mechanism for Republicans this year. So far, Trump has signed measures to repeal 13 regulations. 

The rules that have been repealed include consumer protections including an internet privacy rule, environmental protections like the stream protection rule and workplace safety standards.

Industry groups say the regulatory changes will create more room for economic growth and jobs. 

But Public Citizen fears repealing these rules could hurt consumers, the environment and public health.

“America has never seen anything like this, and we have endured only the first three months,” Weissman said.