Executive Order 14216: What it Means for the Regulatory State

Posted on March 7, 2025Categories Journal of Regulatory Compliance, Regulation

On February 18, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14216, titled “Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies,” mandating that independent federal agencies route their rules and new actions through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The order aims to enhance presidential oversight over agencies that traditionally operate with a degree of autonomy, like as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The order signifies a substantial shift in the dynamics of the American regulatory state.
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Effects of Ongoing Deregulation Under the Trump Administration: DOGE and the Congressional Review Act

Posted on March 6, 2025Categories Regulation

Congressional Republicans have faced growing public pushback in early 2025, even from their own voters, regarding their collective inaction as the Trump administration has continued to consolidate power in the executive branch. At the same time, Congressional Republicans have faced increased pressure from the Trump administration, and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, to continue to gut regulations and deliver President Trump’s corporate-focused agenda. One method that experts expect Republican lawmakers to utilize in addressing these pressures is the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The CRA allows Congress to repeal recently issued final regulations with only a narrow majority, which could thus lead to harmful deregulation that will likely compound the deregulatory actions already seen by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
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Curbing Censorship: The Constitutional Challenges of Addressing Social Media Moderation

Posted on March 5, 2025Categories FTC, Regulation

At a time when so many people rely on online spaces for news, connection, and the exchange of ideas, the balance between free speech and content moderation is more important than ever. In recent months, there have been rising concerns over potential government censorship and the proliferation of misinformation, especially on social media. The lack of transparency in the tech industry makes this issue uniquely tricky, as each platform’s distinct algorithms are largely proprietary. However, many users feel that their voices are being silenced based on the nature of the content they are releasing. The possibilities for remedying these concerns are limited, as the First Amendment expressly protects private companies from government censorship (including the requirement that they host specific content), but there are several potential paths forward that could have far-reaching implications for the future of social media content moderation.
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DEI Under Fire: Corporate Compliance After Trump’s Executive Orders

Posted on March 5, 2025Categories Employment, The Art of Compliance, Uncategorized

In January 2025, President Donald Trump issued a series of executive orders aimed at dismantling Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the federal government and, by extension, influencing private-sector compliance. These executive actions, presented as a means of restoring merit-based hiring and eliminating what the administration described as “illegal discrimination,” have had profound effects on corporate compliance efforts across industries. While the immediate legal impact has primarily affected federal agencies and contractors, the broader implications have created uncertainty within corporate America, forcing many companies to reassess the scope and structure of their DEI initiatives. This article examines the legal and regulatory ramifications of these executive orders and explores how they have influenced corporate compliance strategies in the evolving landscape of workplace diversity policies.
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Chicago’s Low-Income Housing Trust Fund at a Crossroads: Leadership, Equity, and an Uncertain Future

Posted on February 28, 2025Categories Compliance Spotlight, Regulation

On February 11, the Chicago City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate delayed approval of the appointment of eight board members to oversee the city’s low-income housing trust fund. The vote was postponed due to concerns about the lack of Black representation on the board and among the appointees, particularly from the South and West sides. For decades, Chicago has grappled with the challenge of providing affordable housing to its poorest residents. The Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund (“Trust Fund”), established in 1987, has been a crucial force in addressing this need. The Trust Fund was created through a and supports low-income residents—those earning at or below 50% of the city’s median income—by funding rental subsidies and housing programs.
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Banking Regulators Accused of Debanking Scheme Targeted at Cryptocurrency

Posted on February 27, 2025Categories Banking, Cryptocurrency

On January 23, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at supporting the growth of digital assets and blockchain technologies across the American economy, mitigating risks associated with Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), and protecting fair and open access to banking services for all private-sector entities. This executive order was created following accusations from industry leaders in digital assets who claim that banking regulators at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) were encouraged by the Biden administration to instruct banks to deny banking services to digital asset companies, also known as debanking. To investigate these claims further, the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs conducted a hearing on February 5, 2025 to hear directly from industry leaders about the depth and impact of the allegations.
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Investigation into the Rise of Bird Flu in Dairy Farms and the Role of Regulatory Compliance

Posted on February 27, 2025Categories Food and Drug Law

The recent emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, in U.S. dairy farms has raised significant public health and regulatory concerns. While traditionally associated with poultry, the virus’s spread to dairy cattle has prompted urgent investigations into transmission patterns, biosecurity measures, and regulatory compliance. As federal and state agencies respond to this development, businesses must navigate evolving compliance requirements to ensure public safety and maintain industry stability.
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The Stained Story of Red Dye No. 3

Posted on February 26, 2025Categories FDA, Food and Drug Law

In January 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a ban on the use of Red Dye No. 3 (erythrosine) in food and ingested drugs. The main concern regarding the dye is that it is a potential carcinogen; studies from the 1980s found laboratory rats which were fed Erythrosine developed thyroid cancer. According to the Environmental Working Group, there are approximately 2,900 food products currently in the market that contain the dye, such as cherry sodas, candies, and frosting (not to mention medicines and supplements). While the ban is a step in the right direction, it is far overdue and leaves questions about what should be done about other artificial dyes that remain in the market.
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Card Declined: CFPB Withdraws Proposed Rule Banning Nonsufficient Funds

Posted on February 26, 2025Categories Banking

On January 24, 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB proposed a rule that would block non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees on debit card, ATM, and peer-to-peer payment transactions that are declined instantaneously or nearly instantaneously. The proposal of this rule arose from a variety of initiatives under the CFPB of the Biden administration to crack down on “junk fees” charged by banks and other financial institutions. However, on January 14, 2025 the CFPB issued notice to withdraw their proposed rule regarding NSF fees.
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Eggflation: The Rising Cost of Eggs and Its Impact on Consumers

Posted on February 21, 2025Categories Antitrust, FDA, FTC

Egg prices are soaring, but is it just supply issues—or something more? While avian flu and regulations have strained production, major suppliers are raking in record profits, raising suspicions of price manipulation. A federal jury recently found top producers guilty of price-fixing, fueling concerns that consumers are being taken advantage of. As grocery bills climb, the question remains: who’s really cracking under pressure?
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