WASHINGTON—President Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday that seeks to give his political appointees far-reaching control over federal agencies that for decades have operated independently of White House influence.

The Trump administration has taken another step to centralize the executive branch with a new order that “reins in independent agencies.” | The White House's latest executive order would give the president greater control over federal agencies typically shielded by cross-term leadership appointments and dismissal protections.

President Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order declaring that only the attorney general or the president, instead of federal regulators or bureaucrats, can speak for the U.S. when interpreting the meaning of laws carried out by the executive branch.