The Supreme Court is set to review a 90-year-old rule that could make President Donald Trump even more powerful than he already is. On Monday, the court said that it is considering overturning the said rule that limits the President’s powers when it comes to the workings of independent agencies.
If implemented, Trump would have the power to fire board members of such organisations. In addition to that, he will also be the decision maker when it comes to the grounds for firing. Earlier, commissioners could only be removed from their positions if they were found guilty of misconduct and neglect of duty. But, under the new ruling, there would be no specific rules for firing.
Following the revelation of the potential implementation, several people have expressed their thoughts on the matter.
Speaking on it, Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote:
“The President and the government suffer irreparable harm when courts transfer even some of that executive power to officers beyond the President’s control.”
Sauer’s attorneys have also spoken following the discourse and have said:
“If the President is to be given new powers Congress has expressly and repeatedly refused to give him, that decision should come from the people’s elected representatives,”
If Donald Trump is granted the authority to remove representatives of independent agencies on arbitrary grounds, the earliest instance of him exercising that power will be in the Rebecca Slaughter case. Slaughter, a Federal Trade Commission member, was fired from her position at the start of this year. However, she challenged her removal in court. The Federal Trade Commission had, as a result, asked Trump to allow her to return to office while her case was under deliberation. Nevertheless, the justices put a hold on her reinstatement until they issue a verdict.
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