Supreme Court Will Examine Trump’s Authority to Fire Independent Agency Members

The federal government argues that a 1935 precedent, limiting presidential authority over the FTC, no longer applies because the agency’s power has grown.

Federal Trade Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter testifies before the U.S. Senate Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance and Data Security Subcommittee in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, U.S., November 27, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo

The Supreme Court is poised to consider overturning a 90-year-old precedent that limits the reasons why presidents may remove members of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and independent federal agencies.

A ruling in favor of the federal government would bolster the president’s ability to remove senior officials from some federal agencies.