Summary
The Supreme Court appears likely to allow President Trump to remove members of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This decision could change a long-standing rule that prevents presidents from firing independent agency commissioners for political reasons.
Key Facts
- The case, Trump vs. Slaughter, focuses on whether President Trump can fire FTC commissioners.
- A 1935 decision, known as Humphrey's Executor, currently protects these commissioners from being fired without a specific reason.
- The Supreme Court's conservative justices seem inclined to support expanding presidential powers to fire these commissioners.
- President Trump had dismissed two Democratic FTC commissioners, Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya, prompting the case.
- Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted once presidential power is reduced, it's hard to regain through the legislative process.
- Chief Justice John Roberts stated that the FTC has more power today than in 1935, questioning the current relevance of the precedent.
- The U.S. Solicitor General argued that the current rule limits presidential powers unconstitutionally.
- The liberal justices challenged the need to overturn a long-standing rule and expressed concerns about increasing presidential power over independent agencies.
