Executive Order 13844-Establishment of the Task Force on Market Integrity and Consumer Fraud
Issued 2018-07-11 by Donald J. Trump
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
President Trump's Executive Order 13844 directs the Attorney General to create a Task Force on Market Integrity and Consumer Fraud within the Department of Justice. This task force brings together senior officials from the Justice Department—including the Deputy Attorney General, Associate Attorney General, and leaders of the Criminal, Civil, Tax, and Antitrust Divisions, along with the FBI Director and designated U.S. Attorneys—to coordinate efforts against fraud crimes committed against the government or American people.
The task force is designed to strengthen investigation and prosecution of various types of fraud, including fraud targeting the elderly, service members, veterans, and other members of the public, as well as cyber-fraud and fraud affecting financial markets and government programs. For certain functions, the Attorney General can invite participation from other federal agencies and officials, including cabinet secretaries and leaders of financial regulatory agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Trade Commission, and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The order aims to improve coordination among federal, state, local, and tribal agencies in investigating and prosecuting fraud crimes, recovering proceeds from such crimes, and ensuring appropriate punishment for perpetrators. The Deputy Attorney General leads the task force's work and determines when to convene meetings.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
Executive Order 13844 ("Executive Order 13844-Establishment of the Task Force on Market Integrity and Consumer Fraud") restructures or establishes federal entities. The stated purpose: "strengthen the efforts of the Department of Justice and Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies to investigate and prosecute crimes of fraud committed against the U." The President has authority to manage the executive branch under Article II, including creating task forces, councils, and working groups within the White House. However, creating independent agencies with binding regulatory authority, or fundamentally restructuring congressionally created departments, typically requires legislative authorization.
The Reorganization Act historically provided a framework for executive reorganization subject to congressional review. Current reorganization authority is more limited. The constitutionality depends on whether this order creates White House advisory bodies (acceptable) or attempts to restructure agencies in ways that conflict with their enabling statutes (questionable).
Official Summary
Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2018 Executive Order 13844—Establishment of the Task Force on Market Integrity and Consumer Fraud July 11, 2018 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to strengthen the efforts of the Department of Justice and Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies to investigate and prosecute crimes of fraud committed against the U.S. Government or the American people, recover the proceeds of such crimes, and ensure just and effective punishment of those who perpetrate crimes of fraud, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1 . Establishment . The Attorney General shall establish within the Department of Justice a Task Force on Market Integrity and Consumer Fraud (Task Force). Sec. 2 . Membership and Operation . (a) The Task Force shall include the following members: (i) the Deputy Attorney General, who shall serve as the Chair; (ii) the Associate Attorney General, who shall serve as the Vice Chair; (iii) the Assistant Attorney General (Criminal Division); (iv) the Assistant Attorney General (Civil Division); (v) the Assistant Attorney General (Tax Division); (vi) the As