US Supreme Court to Rule on Trump's Attempt to Overturn Precedent Allowing for Presidential Firings Without Cause.
In a potentially landmark decision, the US Supreme Court appears ready to side with former FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, who sued President Donald Trump after he fired both Democrats from the commission in March. The case hinges on a 90-year-old precedent established by the Supreme Court in 1935, Humphrey's Executor v. United States, which holds that the president can only remove FTC commissioners for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.
Conservative justices appear to be leaning towards overturning this precedent, which would give Trump more control over the FTC and potentially other independent agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Justice Samuel Alito suggested that a ruling for Slaughter could open the way for Congress to convert various executive branch agencies into "multi-member commissions with members protected from plenary presidential removal authority."
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson expressed concerns about the dangers of Trump's position, stating that independent agencies exist to provide nonpartisan expertise and protect citizens. Justice Elena Kagan warned that taking away this independence would result in "massive, uncontrolled, unchecked power" in the hands of the president.
Gorsuch argued that the bargain between Congress and these agencies has given too much power to executive branches, stating, "The one thing our framers knew is that every political actor seeks to enhance its own power." Justice Sonia Sotomayor echoed similar sentiments, saying, "You're asking us to destroy the structure of government."
A ruling in favor of Trump would be a significant shift in the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. The case has already sparked debate among lawmakers, with Senator Amy Klobuchar calling it "deeply troubling" that conservative justices are ready to give the president even more unchecked power.
In a potentially landmark decision, the US Supreme Court appears ready to side with former FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, who sued President Donald Trump after he fired both Democrats from the commission in March. The case hinges on a 90-year-old precedent established by the Supreme Court in 1935, Humphrey's Executor v. United States, which holds that the president can only remove FTC commissioners for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.
Conservative justices appear to be leaning towards overturning this precedent, which would give Trump more control over the FTC and potentially other independent agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Justice Samuel Alito suggested that a ruling for Slaughter could open the way for Congress to convert various executive branch agencies into "multi-member commissions with members protected from plenary presidential removal authority."
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson expressed concerns about the dangers of Trump's position, stating that independent agencies exist to provide nonpartisan expertise and protect citizens. Justice Elena Kagan warned that taking away this independence would result in "massive, uncontrolled, unchecked power" in the hands of the president.
Gorsuch argued that the bargain between Congress and these agencies has given too much power to executive branches, stating, "The one thing our framers knew is that every political actor seeks to enhance its own power." Justice Sonia Sotomayor echoed similar sentiments, saying, "You're asking us to destroy the structure of government."
A ruling in favor of Trump would be a significant shift in the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. The case has already sparked debate among lawmakers, with Senator Amy Klobuchar calling it "deeply troubling" that conservative justices are ready to give the president even more unchecked power.
. If they overturn it, that means Trump gets way too much control over things like the FTC and FCC... that sounds like trouble to me 
. And can you imagine if other agencies follow suit? It's not like Congress is doing a great job of keeping them in check already 
. I'm all for some balance between power, but this feels like a bad idea to me 
.
It seems to me like Trump is trying to consolidate power and it's not a huge deal that conservative justices want to side with him. Can't we just focus on getting some actual work done instead of playing politics all day? 
! IF THEY RULE IN TRUMP'S Favor, IT COULD BE A BIG DEAL FOR THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND HOW MUCH POWER THEY HAVE OVER OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 
. JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO SEEMS TO THINK THAT TRUMP SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIRE THOSE FTC COMMISSIONERS WITHOUT CAUSE, BUT JUSTICE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON IS ALL ABOUT MAINTAINING INDEPENDENCE AND NONPARTISAN EXPERTISE 
, it's like they're playing with fire 
, not thinking about how it could lead to abuse of power by future presidents 
. I mean, what's next? Can they just make up their own rules and ignore the law? It doesn't seem right to me 
. Can't we just leave well enough alone?
. And if he gets his way, it'll be like Congress is just a rubber stamp for whatever he wants 
. I don't trust this at all...
i think its high time we let the prez have some control over his own agencies - it's not like he's gonna use that power to, say, dissolve congress or start a coup lol. ppl need to chill out & get used 2 the fact that trump is still in charge... newsflash: hes not going nowhere anytime soon 
. And let's not forget about all the other agencies that could be next on the chopping block... it's a slippery slope, folks! 
. If Congress starts to lose control over these commissions, it could lead to all sorts of problems down the line 
. Just think about it - if a president can fire someone at will without cause, who's next? The head of NASA? The Director of the FBI? 
.