Summary
The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a case that might give President Donald Trump more power to remove leaders of independent federal agencies at will. This case challenges a 1935 ruling that currently limits presidential power over these agencies.
Key Facts
- The case, Trump v. Slaughter, could change the rules about presidential authority over federal agencies.
- The 1935 decision, Humphrey’s Executor, currently protects agency heads from being fired without specific reasons.
- The Justice Department argues that presidents should have more power to remove agency leaders.
- Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, an FTC commissioner, was removed by President Trump without the required legal reasons.
- The Supreme Court is also examining if judges can put officials back in their jobs if removed unlawfully.
- In recent decisions, the Court allowed President Trump to remove officials from other agencies without cause.
- The 1935 ruling distinguished between agencies that perform duties not strictly political or executive, setting a foundation for agency independence.
