In landmark case, Supreme Court to rule on Trump's bid to control independent agencies - WEIS | Local & Area News, Sports, & Weather

(WASHINTON) -- For more than 100 years, independent government agencies have regulated American monetary policy and stock trades, transportation systems and election campaigns, consumer product safety and broadcast licenses all free from direct political interference and supervision by the White House.

A major case before the Supreme Court on Monday could upend that tradition and dramatically transform the federal government, eliminating a spirit of bipartisanship and policy continuity that Congress had intended to instill in key areas of American life when it created the agencies.

At issue is President Donald Trump's attempt to remove Rebecca Slaughter, a Democrat, as a member of the Federal Trade Commission on grounds that her service is "inconsistent with the administration's priorities." She was appointed to a seven-year term in 2023.

Lower courts have held that Slaughter's termination was illegal since federal law stipulates a president may only remove a commissioner for "inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office." The for-cause removal protection was intended to insulate the FTC from politics.

Trump argues the arrangement is unconstitutional and that a president must have full control over the leadership of government bodies that set policies and enforce regulations.

If he prevails, presidents could win unfettered power to terminate members of independent agencies at-will, which in turn could mark the end of their independence.

"Congress designed these agencies, like the FTC, like the [Federal Reserve], like [Securities and Exchange Commission], the whole panoply of independent agencies to have bipartisan voices so that there could be accountability and transparency," Slaughter said in an interview with ABC News earlier this year.

Some two dozen organizations, including the Federal Election Commission, Federal Communications Commission and National Transportation Safety Board, are also made up of members appointed by presidents for a fixed