Trump's top team sets stage for White House power grab

President-elect looks to bypass federal institutions to install nominees and shrink government

- Aaron Zitner

In naming a set of unconventional nominees to run federal departments, Donald Trump this week also took steps to push for a broader goal: realigning the balance of power among Washington's major institutions so that more authority flows from the White House.

Trump has threatened to take steps that would undermine the Senate's confirmation powers and Congress's role in budgeting—the most essential powers of the two chambers. He has insisted that senators allow him to place some nominees directly in their jobs, bypassing the Senate's public hearings and confirmation process. He has said he would move to impound—or decline to spend—money appropriated by Congress for programs he dislikes, a step likely requiring him to overturn current law in court.

Trump's transition team is considering a plan to bypass the Pentagon's regular promotion system, with a draft executive order that would create a panel to evaluate three- and four-star officers for potential removal. If signed by the new president, the order would allow Trump to fire what he has called "woke generals," those seen as promoting diversity in the ranks at the expense of military readiness.

Federal Reserve leaders have braced for a potential effort to fire Chairman Jerome Powell, while officials elsewhere are waiting to see whether Trump follows through on a campaign promise to rein in other independent agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission, and subject them to greater presidential authority. "These agencies do not get to become a fourth branch of government," he said as a candidate.

Trump also has suggested he would take steps to disempower legacy media companies, calling for the government to revoke some broadcasters' licenses. He has filed suits against the Washington Post for alleged libel, against ABC for alleged defamation and against CBS over its editing of an interview with his presidential rival, Vice President Kamala Harris.