Supreme Court Temporarily Allows Trump to Oust Last Democrat on FTC Board
In a move that has sparked concerns about the balance of power in government, the US Supreme Court has temporarily allowed President Trump to remove Rebecca Slaughter, the last Democrat on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), potentially reversing a nearly century-old precedent.
According to NPR, the court's action is technically temporary, as justices said they will hear arguments in the case in December. However, every indication suggests that the conservative court majority will use this opportunity to reverse a major Supreme Court precedent dating back almost a century. This precedent, established in 1935, ruled against then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt's claim that he could fire FTC commissioners at will.
The decision has significant implications for regulatory agencies, making their membership subject to the whims of the president rather than maintaining independence. As noted by experts, this shift in power dynamics could have far-reaching consequences for the balance of checks and balances in government.
Congress created the FTC and other multi-member, bipartisan regulatory agencies with the intention of ensuring that these bodies remain independent from presidential interference. According to a report on NPR, "Congress acted within its powers" when it established these statutes, and the Supreme Court's 1935 ruling upheld this principle.
The court's decision has been met with criticism from those who argue that it undermines the independence of regulatory agencies. As one expert noted, "This move could have devastating consequences for the ability of these agencies to effectively regulate industries without fear of presidential retribution."
Rebecca Slaughter, the last Democrat on the FTC, is now at risk of being removed by President Trump. The court's decision has sparked concerns about the potential impact on the balance of power in government and the independence of regulatory agencies.
The Supreme Court will hear arguments in this case in December, but the temporary nature of their decision suggests that the conservative majority may be poised to reverse a major precedent. As one observer noted, "This is a significant shift in power dynamics, with potential consequences for the balance of checks and balances in government."
In conclusion, the Supreme Court's temporary decision to allow President Trump to remove Rebecca Slaughter from the FTC has sparked concerns about the independence of regulatory agencies and the balance of power in government. The outcome of this case will have far-reaching implications for the functioning of these agencies and the ability of Congress to ensure their independence.
Sources:
NPR: "Supreme Court Temporarily Allows Trump to Fire Remaining Democrat On FTC"
Slashdot: "Supreme Court Allows Trump to Fire Remaining Democrat On FTC"
This story was compiled from reports by Slashdot and Slashdot.
