Supreme Court Takes on Presidential Power: A Landmark Legal Battle

The U.S. Supreme Court's conservative justices are signaled to support Donald Trump's dismissal of FTC member Rebecca Slaughter, challenging a 1935 legal precedent that limits presidential power over independent agencies. The case centers on whether tenure protections for agency heads infringe on executive authority.

In a high-stakes legal drama, the U.S. Supreme Court's conservative majority appears poised to endorse Donald Trump's controversial dismissal of an FTC member, potentially amplifying presidential power. The court's decision could overturn a precedent set in 1935, which restricts presidential authority over independent agencies.

The case scrutinizes the scope of executive power and the legal safeguards ensuring independent agencies remain insulated from political interference. U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argues that the 1935 precedent has become obsolete, while liberal justices caution against broadening presidential authority too far.

The ruling, expected by June, may redefine the separation of powers, impacting the structure and independence of numerous federal agencies. The decision will test the constitutional limits of the presidency, with implications that could extend to other governance bodies, including the Federal Reserve.

(With inputs from agencies.)