Supreme Court Poised to Empower Presidential Authority

U.S. Supreme Court justices lean toward upholding Donald Trump's firing of an FTC member, bolstering presidential power and threatening a long-standing precedent. Debates center around the 1935 Humphrey's Executor case, with conservative justices favoring enhanced presidential authority, while liberals warn against unchecked power.

Conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices appear likely to support Donald Trump's decision to dismiss an FTC member, signaling a historic shift in presidential power. The case challenges a 90-year-old precedent that restricts presidential control over independent agencies.

The case hinges on Humphrey's Executor v. United States, a 1935 decision that protects leaders of independent agencies from removal, which the Trump administration seeks to overturn. Proponents argue that the precedent is outdated, while opponents caution against concentration of power.

Justice Elena Kagan warned that a ruling in favor of Trump could grant presidents unchecked power over federal agencies that affect vital American sectors. The court's decision, expected in June, could reshape government dynamics significantly.

(With inputs from agencies.)